3515 

'920 





(Iks nS 35-y 

Book niszH-c 

fingright N" i92» 

CtfJKRIGRT DEPOSIT. 






«Mfi 



HOME LIGHT 
OF THE PRAIRIES 



A PLAY IN THREE ACTS 
AND SIX SCENES 



BY 



GILBERT GUEST 



C::!!!ii< ,, ?llllii.iiii»'' 



'V«i 



HOME LIGHT 



OF THE PRAIRIES 



H flMa? in Gbree Hcts 



BY 

GILBERT GUEST 



X 



OMAHA, NEBRASKA 

BURKLEY PRINTING COMPANY 

MCMXX 






-\y.* 



^ 



" o 



Copyright, 192ti 

FLORENCE BRENAN 

Omaha, Neb. 



©CI.D 58371 



I 



DEC 27 1920 



DRAMATIS PERSONAE 



GRANDMA — Mrs. Allingham, Sr. The dominant influence for good 
on the farm and in the County. Originally from "Old Virginny." 

WlLLIAM ALLINGHAM — Grandma's oldest son, and owner of Sun- 
shine Farm, in Nebraska. 

MoLLIE ALLINGHAM — William Allingham's sole surviving daughter. 

Jack Allingham — Sixteen, Mollie's brother. 

QuiNCEY — Little darkey, Jack's pal, and Dinah's grandson. 

Mr. ROBERTSON, Sr. — Cultured gentleman, great friend of William. 

Mr. Jim — Twenty-one, Mr. Robertson's son. 

Mr. WEST — A Movey Picture Man from the South. 

Mr. HlLTON — Scientist — a silent man. Much in love with his wife. 

Mrs. Hilton — A young society butterfly, wife of Hilton. 

Carleone Spinola — A Spanish girl educated in America at the 
same school with Mollie. A strong, passionate nature. 

AGNES Redman — The Angel of the school and of Mollie's and Car- 
leone's class. 

DlNAH — Old Virginny Darkey. Boss of the Allingham kitchen. 

Movey Man — Assistant of Mr. West. 

Sue — A colored girl assisting Dinah. 

NEIGHBOR (Tom Sloan) — One who appreciates Dinah's pies. 

Neighbor — (Joe Cass). 

FARM Hands — At least five. They do no speaking. 

Sister Ambrose — The Girls' teacher of English at St. Joseph's. 



CHARACTERS 



First Act — First Scene 

Grandma, William, Robertson, Sr., Mr. Jim, Mr. and Mrs. 
Hilton, Dinah, Jack and Quincey, Movey Man, Farm hands. 
Girls are spoken of. 

First Act — Second Scene 

Grandma, Jack and Quincey, Mr. Robertson, Sr. ; Mrs. Hilton 
and Mr. Jim, Dinah, William. 

Second Act — First Scene 

Carleone, Sister Ambrose, Agnes, Mollie, Mr. West. 

Second Act — Second Scene 

Sister Ambrose, Carleone, Mr. Robertson, Mr. Jim, Mollie, 
Agnes, Mr. and Mrs. Hilton, gardener, couple of school girls. 

Third Act — First Scene 

Agnes, Dinah, Mollie, Carleone, Mr. West, Mr. Robertson, Mr. 
Jim, Mr. and Mrs. Hilton, Jack and Quincey. 

Third Act — Second Scene 

Grandma, Mr. West, Dinah, Carleone, William, Quincey, Jack, 
Mollie, Mr. Robertson, Mr. Jim, Mr. and Mrs. Hilton. 



HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

A PLAY IN THREE ACTS 



FIRST ACT— Scene One 

Setting: A Nebraska farm. Time: the present. 
Introduces all the characters. Scene One shows Grandma's attitude 
towards divorce; introduces Mr. Robertson, Senior, and tells the 
story of his past life. 

Scene Two 

Second Scene of the First Act is suggestive of the atmosphere of 
Nebraska farm life; tells of Grandma's life sorrow. 



SECOND ACT— Scene One 

Introduces us to the girls of the farm in the Convent School — also 
explains the reason why the girls leave school in May, and return 
home, before the usual closing. A strong factor of the plot intro- 
duced. 

Scene Two 

Closes with a cloud of suspicion on the honor girl and a movie man 
in disgrace. 



THIRD ACT— Scene One 

A sequel to Mr. Robertson's story — and the closing of Agnes 
life work- 

Scene Two 

Knotty things straightened out and the clouds lifted. 
Time of the whole play about four weeks. 



FIRST ACT— SCENE ONE 



(Interior of a Nebraska farm house; kitchen, big range at back. 
Left — Large table; center — dresser at right, dishes and big jar of flowers 
near dresser old fashioned settee, big arm chair, footstool, basket of 
stockings on one side, a big tin dish of vegetables to be prepared, big 
jar of flowers in center of a half dressed table, left, a side table near 
range, covered rviih pies, eatables, pitcher and glasses, door back center, 
and if convenient, two back windows looking out one on the barn and 
the other on a field. Door at the right side entrance. Curtain rises on 
Dinah peeling vegetables. Left center — Grandma, seated in arm-chair 
mending stockings.) 

GRANDMA — "Dinah, dear, please take a look at those pies, 
I fear the oven is too hot." 

DINAH — (Doesnt move). — "Sho chile, you all time figgeditin 
'bout hot oven! Dear knows Ise baked 'nough pies in my life-time to 
know 'bout hot oven. Dem dar aint been in three minutes." (Shouts of 
men outside. Some seen moving in the barn yard). 

DINAH — (Hastily rising, dropping peelings on floor, which 
grandma quietly stoops and picks up and places in Dinah's pan). "Fore 
de Lord, taint time for eats, is it? Why I just done wash de dishes from 
breakfast. Dis is a Ian' o' tribulation; nothing but work, work." 
(Rushes to the oven, pulls out a black P* e » raises the same with look* 
of consternation. Grandma smiles, goes quietly towards her, takes the 
pie from her, empties it in a pail saying:) 

GRANDMA — "Never mind, Dinah, 'tis an ill wind that blows 
nobody good. This burnt pie will give the pigs a great deal of pleasure." 

DINAH — (Out of patience). "Pigs nothin' ! I don't waste my 
strength making pie for pigs. I bet that good for nothin nigger, Quincey, 
turned that damper up, just for sheer devilment. I'll warm his skin for 
him." (Shouts and laughing). "Dat's de men for shure, and (glanc- 
ing at an old-fashioned clock,) 'tis only half-past ten." (Grandma has 
been quietly moving about putting in pies and taking others out and 
cutting some up. Goes to the left, opens churn, fills a pitcher with but- 



HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 



termilk' All the time Dinah is talking, and mops her face with her large 
apron). 

GRANDMA — "I suppose 'tis too hot to stay out, and instead 
of waiting for the boys to carry out their lunch, the men are coming into 
the house for it themselves." (She still works quietly). 

DINAH — (Center). "Huh! Hot, hot nothin'! Comin' to muss 
up that all. I bet yo', Grandma, if this Nebraska was old Virginny, 
which it 'taint, them white trash wouldn't dast come into a lady's kitchen 
without an invite." (Taking knife from grandma and pushing her for- 
ward). "Give it here chile. Ise good enough to wait on 'em. You go set 
down. Tirin' yo'self to death, the first lady of the Ian'." (Grandma 
laughs and comes to center). 

GRANDMA — "Never more a lady than when working, Dinah." 
(Men enter, dressed for work. Take off hats when they see Grandma. 
They are headed by Mr. Allingham or William, Grandma's son, closely 
followed by Quincy and Jack). 

WILLIAM — "Well, mother, we thought we would save you a 
trip to the fields and take a little rest in between. 'Tis fearfully hot for 
May." (Men crowd around Grandma laughing and talking, while 
Dinah, who has grabbed Quincy by the wool, hauls him to the left 
footlights, shaking him as she talks). 

DINAH — "You good for nothin' nigger! How often I tol' yo' to 
let the stove alone? Answer me. (Shakes him while he, in abject terror, 
rolls his eyes and tries to squirm away). "Answer me, I say. Have 
you done touch it? You aint gwine to have pies for a week. You all 
made me burn a pie clean up." 

QUINCY — (With a subdued howl). "Oh, mammy, don' yo' 
touch me. I never done nothin'. Cross me heart, hope to die, if I did." 

DINAH — "Cross your heart, huh? Yo' have as much heart as 
your worthless nigger of a father had." (Shaking him, Quincey gives vent 
to a loud howl which startles the talking group in the middle, and 
William turns angrily towards the two, taking Quincey forcibly away 
from Dinah with:) 

WILLIAM — "Dinah, for heaven's sake, what are you doing to 
that boy?" 

DINAH — "I reckon dis boy belongs to me if he was born free. 
Ise gwine to teach him de fear of the Lord and make him quit his 
lyin'." 



FIRST ACT— SCENE ONE 



GRANDMA — (Leaves center, approaches the angry Dinah, 
draws her down to the footlights apart from the center crowd, which in 
the meantime scatters around the room, two or three men on the settee 
or near the table, one on the footstool, one in the armchair, Jack an ^ 
Quincey back of the table facing audience, inspecting the pies with 
apparent delight). "Dinah, dear friend, don't get so angry with Quincey. 
He is only a heedless boy." 

DINAH — "Dat's all right, Miss 'Lizabeth, but I got to teach dat 
boy not to lie. Why de Almighty wouldn't let him inside the gate o' 
Heaven, he's such a liar." 

GRANDMA — "Dinah, you'll teach him truth by believing that 
he tells the truth. You'll find the best, if you will look f° r the best." 
(Goes back left and cuts pie. Men crowd around, making show of great 
delight. Grandma goes to churn near center door, takes off top. William 
jumps to help her, assists her to pour buttermilk into big pitcher. Men 
eat and drink around the table). 

DINAH — (Says to audience). "When Miss 'Lizabeth begins to 
preach, she'd charm de birds off de trees." 

NEIGHBOR — (Comes to Dinah from table, eating a big piece 
of pie). "Says, Dinah, this is great. You sure are the champion pie 
maker." 

DINAH — (Much pleased). 'N you sure are de champeen 
pie-eater. But Miss 'Llingham she'd a hand in de making of dese pies; 
of course, I done teach her." 

NEIGHBOR — "Yes, Grandma has a hand in more than pie- 
making. There isn't anything good done in the county from politics 
to church going for the last thirty years, since she came here from 
Virginny, that Grandma hasn't had a hand in, Dinah." 

DINAH (Delighted). "Yes, Tom Sloane, you done tell de 
truth dar. She come here to Nebraska when it were a wilderness, nearly 
breaking her father's and mother's hearts. They couldn't give up their 
plantation, and she wouldn't give up Jack Allingham, a dude just from 
College, crazy with de West fever. But a better man never lived, and 
of all de boys dey done have, William, all dat's left, is sure de picture 
of his father. De Almighty have mercy on his soul." 

NEIGHBOR — "Yes, Allingham was a man in a thousand, and 
his son bids fair to outdo him as a farmer. Well, this won't do. Come 
on fellers, we'd best make hay while the sun shines." (Exit. The others 



10 HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

crowd towards footlights talking to Dinah. She is much pleased. All 
go out except William and Neighbor Two). 

NEIGHBOR TWO— Joe Cass— "Say, Dinah, Parson Brown, 
a man of your color, a leetle lighter, perhaps, comes to town next week 
to open a camp meeting. You'd better set your cap for him." 

DINAH — (Much pleased). "Ah, you Joe Cass, quit your fool- 
ing. I done set my cap no more. De first cap was too tarnation bad, 
I done want no more. And anyhow, I've no use for dem light shades. 
Dey aint de right article." 

NEIGHBOR TWO— Joe Cass— "But he's a fine preacher, 
Dinah." 

DINAH — "Preacher, nothin', I aint no Methodist. Me ole 
Marster were a Cafolic. I has de same persuasion. Well, good morn- 
ing, Joe. I'll tell Sue about de preacher. She's just about mad to set 
her cap for anything dat walks on two legs." (Goes back, gathers up 
plates, gets a big dish pan, washes dishes, sings in a subdued tone while 
Neighbor Two goes out and Grandma detains William, saying — near 
the footlights, center:) 

GRANDMA — "Stay, William, you look flushed; rest awhile, 
and let me bathe your head." 

WILLIAM — "Nonsense, mother, I am not any hotter than the 
rest of the men. The heat is certainly fierce today, a regular Nebraska 
heat, and that beats 'old Virginny' all to nothing." 

GRANDMA — "But you know, dear, ever since that hurt you 
got last harvest, you are not yourself." 

WILLIAM — "There you go. You'd spoil if you weren't moth- 
ering something. Here, take this rascal and give him mothering. He'd 
need one after the lamming Dinah just gave him." (Going, hands 
Quency to her, the darkey making grimaces of delight at Grandma, 
when seated, abstractedly smoothes down his wool). 

GRANDMA — "William, you haven't Mcllie to look after you 
now." (Looks up at him, while he gazes down at her with great tend- 
erness and says:) 

WILLIAM — "No, mother darling, you mean that since Mol- 
lie's death, you not having her to look after must give me more love. 
She was a good wife, naturally, but your brave example made her a 
grand one." (Grandma pleased, wipes away a tear and at the same 



FIRST ACT— SCENE ONE 11 



time unconsciously clutches at Quinceys wool, making him roll his 
eyes grotesquely). 

GRANDMA — "I was in hopes, William, when you invited the 
Robertsons and the Hiltons, that you would take time to rest while 
playing the host.' 

QUINCE Y — "What's playing de host, Grandma? Is it a new 
game?" 

GRANDMA — "Yes, Quincey child, a new game for your Uncle 
William." 

WILLIAM — "/ was in hopes, mother, that when our friends 
promised to spend a quiet summer with us, that you, too, would take a 
rest and get Jenny Rutledge to help you out. Sue isn't much use and 
Dinah is getting too old." 

QUINCEY — "An' too bossy. Lordy, but she aint got no mercy 
on me at all. My bones sure ache when Mammy Dinah get after dis 
poor nigger." 

WILLIAM — "Quincey, you rascal, you ought to speak with more 
respect of your grandma." 

QUINCEY — -"Huh! She's only my mammy, dis yere am my 
grandma." (Cuddling up to her). 

WILLIAM — (Laughs.) "You see, mother, you spoil them all. 
But, mother, I am in earnest about Jenny. She would be delighted to earn 
a little money, even if her father is a well-to-do farmer." 

GRANDMA — "I am well aware of the fact that the modern 
American girl is always anxious to get an extra penny; the craze for 
dress has the same power over the country girl as it has over her city 
sister ; but Dinah and Sue are more than enough. You must remember, 
lad, when years ago, I left a luxurious home and bade adieu to a life 
of inaction, I came to a West that was so barren of the smallest com- 
fort that in order to preserve life, I found increasing work a stern neces- 
sity, so that work became, in time, my joy and for you to doom me now 
to inaction, would be to doom me to a living death." 

WILLIAM — (Laughing and seizing her hands in his). "Oh, 
mother, mother, you are incorrigible. Here I am the richest farmer in 
Alliance, and you are so possessed with your idea of work and that you 
don't care a hang what the neighbors think of me. Wouldn't be sur- 
prised to hear that Allingham is 'so darned stingy' that he makes his old 
mother wear herself out, as a hired help." 



12 HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

QUINCEY — (He has been looking out of the hack window dur- 
ing the two last speeches and calls excitedly). "Oh, Grandma, here's 
Uncle Bob a-coming." 

GRANDMA — (Severely). "Quincy, how often have I told you, 
that you are not to call every gentleman or lady your uncle or aunt?" 

QUINCEY — "I know, Grandma, but he done toV me to call 
him Uncle Bob; so help me — " 

GRANDMA — (Horrified). "Quincey, you terrible boy, don't 
you dare to swear." (Enter Mr. Robt. Robertson, Senior, and Mr. 
James Robertson, Junior, carrying arm-coats, fishing tackle, and hats). 

MR. ROBT. ROBERTSON. "By George! This is living. 
Though I haven't caught many fish, Allingham, I tell you, I have caught 
something." 

ROBERTSON, Jr. — "Yes, father nearly caught a crab, Grand- 
ma. Gee! You ought to have seen him." 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— "Jim, Jim, if you tell tales on your old 
father, he will turn states evidence and tell on you, young man." 

WILLIAM—" 'Old father,' is good, Robertson. Why, man 
alive, you two could easily pass for brothers." 

ROBERTSON, Sr. — "Of course, Allingham, my son here is 
only twenty-one years younger than I, but white hair and wrinkles — " 

GRANDMA — "My dear friend, if you had reached my age, 
you might talk of grey hairs and wrinkles. You are a young man yet, 
Mr. Robertson. 

ROBERTSON, Sr. — "That settles it, madame, if you declare 
me young, I shall be the veriest juvenile on this farm.' 

QUINCEY — "Say, Grandma, what's jubenile?" 

WILLIAM — (Laughs). "Why, Quincey boy, juvenile is a 
polite name for kid, understand?" 

QUINCEY— (Laughs and turns a somersault). "Oh ! Ki ! Yi! I 
understand. A kid is me." 

DINAH — (Rushing forward catching Quincey's legs and bring- 
ing him down with a slap). "You low down nigger, you! Aint yo' got 
no manners? Yo' go right out smack and tote me some coal. Dear, 
dear! Such a time as I has a bringing up that chile, trying to learn him 
manners, and Massa William eternally spoiling all I done!" (Goes 
grumbling back 1° the stove; business, seems absorbed in her work but 



FIRST ACT— SCENE ONE 13 

stops occasionally to listen and shake her head in disapproval or the 
opposite). 

(The four seat themselves near footlights, Mr. Robertson particu- 
larly attentive to Grandma). 

ROBERTSON, JR.— "Father, this farm-life takes us back to 
the days of Homer when master and servant were equal." 

WILLIAM — "Jim, you wouldn't find this same condition 
of things on other farms. Our life is an exceptional one. Mother, 
when leaving the home of her girlhood to follow my father's destiny, first 
brought Dinah with her, and when Quincey's father and mother died in 
Virginia, to satisfy Dinah's heart-cravings, mother sent home for Quincey, 
a little pickaninny, and since that time both Dinah and Quincey have 
been well spoilt." 

MAN AT DOOR— (Calls to William). "Say, Mister AI- 
lingham, Dick Benton wants to see you about that colt — the bay 
one. (Exit). 

WILLIAM — (In great hurry, catches up his straw hat, goes to 
door, stops, and calls hack'-) "Did either of you care to go with me. 
You'll probably see some Nebraska bargaining." 

ROBERTSON, Jr.— (Gaily rising). "If Nebraska bargaining 
is half so witty as its political meetings, I'm your man, Mr. Allingham. 
Coming, Father?" 

ROBERTSON, SR.—(From seat). "No, Jim, I have more 
attraction here." 

ROBERTSON Jr. — (As he passes Dinah to go out, bows to 
her, much to her delight). 

DINAH — (Coming forward, wiping hands on her apron — ). 
"Lawsey, did yo' see that bow? The first gentleman in Virginny couldn't 
beat it." (Goes hack singing). 

GRANDMA — "Is this your first experience on a farm, Mr. 
Robertson?" 

ROBERTSON, Sr. — "I have seen many phases of life, as I 
have been a great traveler in the last twenty years, but, strange to say, 
I have never touched closely the farm-life till now. 'Twas a lucky day 
when Allingham and I met at Nebraska's last political convention. Ever 
since that I have been planning to make a summer of it on the farm. 
Jim seems to be so infatuated with it, that I believe, in my soul, I'll 
have to buy a farm for him." 



14 HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

GRANDMA — "Yes, you might do worse. William would be 
delighted to make a farmer of you." 

ROBERTSON, Sr. — "Your son, madam, is a man to inspire 
another with a deep affection. You have certainly much to be thank- 
ful for — a beautiful home, a most interesting family, and an influence 
that dominates a county. The power of America, as it was in Rome, is 
the agricultural life. Given my life over again, I should have been a 
farmer." 

GRANDMA — (Laughs). "Just at present you are experienc- 
ing the pleasant part of farm-life, but if you had to rough it as we have 
done, (shakes her head — is mending stockings). As you say, the farmer 
is the strength of America, but if agriculture is for America what it was 
for Rome, America holds within herself the same menace, that helped 
Rome's downfall." 

ROBERTSON, Sr. "And that is—?" 

GRANDMA. — "A terrible plague spot, almost as bad — yes, 
quite as bad as was that of slavery — " 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— "You interest me, Mrs. Allingham. Is it 
politics?" 

GRANDMA — "Worse than politics; Americans, thank God, 
are not all politicians. This evil penetrates into the humblest home." 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— "Is it disease, Mrs. Allingham?" 

GRANDMA — (Earnestly). "Yes, it is a disease — a leprosy — 
(In his attention Mr. Robertson has half risen and is bending towards 
her as she says divorce, he drops back with a start into his chaif looking 
very much worked up). 'DIVORCE.' Are you ill, Mr. Rob- 
ertson?" 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— "No, no, not exactly ill. You object to 
divorce?" 

GRANDMA — "Object to it! I have a contempt for it as has 
every right minded man or woman; and if every woman in the land 
took the stand I have taken for the last twenty years, divorce would 
be stamped out as effectually as were the disease epidemics of Europe." 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— "What stand did you take?" 

GRANDMA — (Rising and pointing to the back door.) "Over 
the threshold of that door, no divorced man or woman may cross." 

ROBERTSON, Sr. — (Groaning aloud walks slowly in the 
direction of the door). 



FIRST ACT— SCENE ONE 15 

GRANDMA — (Much startled). "Mr. Robertson, where are 
you going?" 

ROBERTSON, Sr. — (Much moved, turns in the center of the 
stage). "You have pronounced my doom. I am a divorced man." 

GRANDMA — (Much agitated). "Forgive me, forgive me; but 
I cannot unsay it." 

ROBERTSON, Sr. — "I regret your principles, madam, and I 
shall lose no time in relieving you of my presence; but before going, al- 
low me to say that though a divorcee myself, I have NEVER believed 
in divorce." 

GRANDMA — (Much puzzled). "And yet you say that you 
are divorced?" 

ROBERTSON, Sr. — "Against my will. No power on earth 
could convince me that divorce is right. She got the divorce from me." 
(Stands in center, a picture of sadness). 

GRANDMA — (Tries not to yield to her feelings of sympathy 
and speafys with apparent sternness, but the audience must be convinced 
that she is sorry for him). "Mr. Robertson, on what grounds?" 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— (With deep feeling), "Cruelty." 

GRANDMA — "May I ask how many yeais ago this was?" 

ROBERTSON, Sr. — "Nineteen years ago. My son was two 
years; my daughter, one year." 

GRANDMA— (Startled). "Your daughter?" 

ROBERTSON, Sr. — (Advancing right center, with outstretched 
hands). "Mrs. Allingham, let me plead my cause, and then after hear- 
ing it, see if you be justified in banishing me from the first real touch of 
home life I have had in years." 

GRANDMA — (Motions him to be seated). (He draws his 
chair near to her and speaks with rapid emotion). . . . 

ROBERTSON, Sr. "Twenty-two years ago I married Nellie 
Gibson, a poor girl, a mere child in years. I don't think it manly to 
speak ill of the absent, but in order to understand my case, it is neces- 
sary for you to know that Nellie was a spoiled child, pretty extrav- 
agant and utterly selfish. Although I was far from being a rich man 
when I married her, in comparison with her position in life, / was 
wealthy. Mrs. Allingham, how do you regard matrimony? What does 
your church teach?" 

GRANDMA — "That matrimony is a sacrament." 



16 HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

ROBERTSON, Sr. "Nellie Gibson looked upon matrimony as 
a contract, a business contract, a deal between two parties which was 
to enable one, at least, to live in luxury and pleasure. For her, the 
fact of being married, carried no duty — no responsibility. When I 
tried to teach her that old debts must be paid before incurring new ones, 
that children were more than mere playthings, that we owed something 
to humanity and God, she accused me of cruelty and, as I made no 
effort in the public court to exonerate myself, believing such a suit to 
be degredaiion, she won out and to my soul's anguish, the court gave 
her my daughter. She didn't want my son because she fancied he 
resembled me, whereas, in fact, as he grows older the resemblance to 
her becomes more marked. 

GRANDMA— "You never married?" 

ROBERTSON — (With dignity). "Your question, madam, is 
an insult." 

GRANDMA— (Rising). "It was. Forgive me? And she?" 
ROBERTSON, Sr.— "She? She married." 
GRANDMA— "Where is she now?" 

ROBERTSON, Sr. — "Somewhere in Europe. On her second 
marriage, her attorney notified me she did not need my support, and when 
I made an effort to regain possession of my daughter, then ten years old, 
I was informed that any effort on my part would bring on another suit. 
Heart sore, I gave up and soon lost track of her. That is my story. 
I wait my doom." 

GRANDMA — "One question, my poor friend, — you are not 
known as a divorced man?" 

ROBERTSON, Sr. "No, few know it; and, they are far 
from here." 

GRANDMA— "Your son?" 

ROBERTSON, Sr. — "Sore with the disgrace of it, I left my na- 
tive city, Cincinnati, and have lived West and South ever since; and not 
wanting to have a shadow cast over my son's young life, I have allowed 
him to think his mother dead. No, my son does not know me as a 
divorced man. What is your verdict?" 

GRANDMA — (Smiling graciously, approaching him rviih out- 
stretched hand). "I have no verdict, my friend." (Clasping his hand). 
"My home is yours." 



FIRST ACT— SCENE ONE 17 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— (Much affected). 'Tell me, Mrs. Ailing- 
ham, you are a woman of faith; why did God so try me?" 

GRANDMA — (Gently pulling him to his chair and smilling 
kindly). "Do you believe it was God?" 

ROBERTSON, Sr. "Has He not the management of our 
lives?" 

GRANDMA — (Seated in her arm-chair, leans over and gently 
touches him xoith her right hand). "My friend, sorrow has taught you 
much. Heaven is no easy place to win. God saw that to wean your 
heart from earth and make you look towards Heaven, he had to send 
you sorrow. Do you understand?" 

ROBERTSON, Sr. "Yes." (Much overcome, he leans his 
head on his hand, and at this juncture, Quincey dashes in from the back 
entrance). 

QUINCEY — "Oh, Grandma, Grandma, de movy picture man 
wants to know — " (Stops suddenly and stares open-mouthed at Mr. 
Roberston). 

GRANDMA — (Severely). "Quincey, how often have I told 

you not to make such an entrance into a room?" 

QUINCEY — (Engrossed in staring says — ) 'Ya', yas 'am, yas 
» »» 
am. 

GRANDMA— (Out of patience). "Quincey!" 

QUINCEY— (Still staring at Mr. Robertson). "Yes 'am." 

(To audience). "Gosh! He am crying." (Turning to Grandma). 

"De movey picture man wants ter know — " 

GRANDMA — (With dignity). "Quincey, leave the room and 

remain out until I send for you. And Quincey, you are not to speak 

about Mr. Robertson. He is not feeling well." 

QUINCEY — (All interested again in Mr. Robertson, asks 

him — ) "Does yo' haid ache?" 

ROBERTSON— (Laughs). "Not my head, Quincey." 
QUINCEY— (Very curious). "Got a belly-ache?" 
GRANDMA — (Provoked but amused). "How often am I to 

tell you to leave the room?" (Quincey exits. Enter Dinah, Robertson 

Junior, and Mrs. Hilton, all laughing.) 

ROBERTSON, Jr. "Oh, father, we have had a regular picnic 

down at the barn. Haven't we, Mrs. Hilton?' ' 

MRS. HILTON — "I should say so. I have never enjoyed any- 



18 HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

thing so much in my life. You missed it, Grandma." (Looks around 
laughingly). "Where's that boy? Oh, Mr. Jim, wasn't Dinah a 
picture?" 

DINAH — (Delighted, takes center). "Picture nothing, You 
had ought to have seen Mrs. Hilton and Massa Jim. I tell you, they 
made a scrumptuous couple and William said we'd have a divorce soon, 
if we didn't look out." (At the word "Divorce" Grandma and Rob- 
ertson, Sr. start and look at each other). 

ROBERTSON, Jr. — (Laughing — ) "You wicked old sinner, 
suggesting such a thing. We were just having our pictures 'took,' as 
Quincey has it. Grandma, he wants to take pictures of these beautiful 
rooms. Says you have the prettiest house in this country." 

Enter — (Jack left* crosses right to Grandma). 
JACK — "Grandma, father just received a letter from — " (Quin- 
ce}) interrupts). 

QUINCEY — "De movey man wants ter know — " (Interrupted 
by Robertson, Jr.) 

ROBERTSON, Jr. — "Yes," Grandma, he is a very nice fellow, 
staging a Nebraska scenario. He thinks this is an ideal place, and wants 
to use it in the pictures. Mr. Allingham gave him permission to take the 
farm, but it is up to you to allow him to photograph the house." (Quin- 
cey and Jack jump up against each other in their endeavor to attract 
Grandma's attention, both speak together — ) 

QUINCEY: — "De movey man wants to board here — " 

JACK — "Father told me to tell you the girls are coming." (All 
laugh, as Grandma smiling, gently pulls the boys to the front with — ) 

GRANDMA — "One at a time, if you please. Well, Jack, 
what is you important mission." 

JACK — "The postman gave father a letter from the convent, 
and Mollie says she is coming home with Agnes and Carleone." 

QUINCEY — (Utters a howl of delight, turns a somersault, 
stands erect dancing a shuffle, with — ) "Oh, Charley Honey is gwine 
to come, and Agnes and Mollie; O — Oh! Oh!" 

GRANDMA — (With decision). "Quincey, behave. I cannot 
hear. Why are they coming in May, Jack? Is there any sickness? Is 
the school closed?" 

JACK — "I don't know, Grandma. Father was fussing with Ben- 



FIRST ACT— SCENE ONE 19 

ton about that bay and only took time to tell me the girls were to be 
here in a couple of days." 

GRANDMA — "Dear me, I hope that there is nothing wrong. 
This was to be Mollie's and Carleone's graduating year.' 

JACK — "Father said something about a mortgage — " 

GRANDMA— "Mortgage! What can it mean?" 

MRS. HILTON — "Dear Mrs. Allingham, do pay attention to 
this delightful darkey. I am afraid something serious will happen 
if you do not." 

GRANDMA— "Well, Quincey, what do you want?" 

QUINCEY — "Uncle William wants ter know if you will board 
the movey man for a couple weeks." 

GRANDMA— (With dignity). "Board him? Why, I never 
took boarders in my life. If I have a room to spare, he can gladly 
have it." (Enter movey man with some apparatus). 

MOVEY MAN- — (Borvs to company, advances to Grandma. 
N. B. This character can be substituted from the farm hands). "Me 
and my boss, Mr. West, would be grateful, madam, if you could board 
us for a couple of weeks and in the meantime, allow us the great priv- 
ilege of making pictures of the prettiest house in the county. Mr. West, 
my boss, is at present in Tennessee taking some scenes for another play, 
but he expects to join me in a few days and get busy on this Nebraska 
play." (Jack and Quincey catch hold of Dinah, try to place her left 
for a picture, Dinah struggling first good-humoredly, then angrily throws 
them off with — ) 

DINAH — "Huh, quit yo'r fooling, you young imps. Grandma, 
call them." 

GRANDMA — "Boys!" (To movey man). "As for giving you 
board, that I could not do, as I never have done so in my life — " 

DINAH — (Aside to boys). "Board! Huh, I should say not. 
De fust ladies of Virginny don't take boarders." 

GRANDMA — (Who has taken the card of movey man and read 
it, continues — ) "As for giving you hospitality, Mr. Smith, I should 
be delighted if I had the room, but if my granddaughter and her friends 
are coming, it will be out of the question, but I shall interest myself in 
getting you comfortable quarters down at Mr. Benton's place. They 
would be delighted to take a few boarders, and it is only a half hour's 
walk from here." 



20 HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

ROBERTSON, Sr. (Advancing left to Grandma). "Permit me 
a suggestion, madam. My son and I could room together, could we 
not Jim?" 

JIM — (who has been talking with Mrs. Hilton in the hack, ad- 
vances center, with — ). "Of course, father, it wont be the first time 
we've bunked together." (Throwing his arm about his father). 

GRANDMA— (Decidedly). "That is out of the question." 

JACK — "Say, Grandma, let Mr. Jim and I sleep together."" 
(Turning to Robertson, Jr.) "Wouldn't that go?" 

ROBERTSON, Jr.— (Laughing). "Immense, Jack. Maybe 
we wouldn't have pillow fights." 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— (Laughing). "In deference to Mrs. Al- 
lingham's linen, I think the first proposition the better, Jim." ( The movey 
man who has been looking from one to the other, advances right of 
Grandma saying — ) 

MOVEY MAN — "Don't mind bothering, madam, I shall go 
down to Benton's but I hope that you will allow us to take the interior 
of this house?' 

(Enter — William at the back, followed by Dinah and Sue carrying 
pans of vegetables which they prepare for dinner at the back. While 
William advancing to center, gives letter to Grandma, which she holds 
as she answers the movey man). 

GRANDMA — "Make moving pictures of my home to show in 
public? O, dear no. I couldn't bear the thought of everyone looking 
at my loved home." 

WILLIAM — "I am astonished at my democratic mother, refusing 
the public the pleasure of enjoying a sight of a home that has always 
been an open door to every one, tramp or gentleman. What's come over 
you, mother?" 

GRANDMA— "What you say is true, William. My life 
work has been to add to the happiness of others. Yes, Mr. Smith, you 
may take the pictures, but I should not like to see the members of my 
family figuring in public." (Dinah, Quincey and Jack l°°k aghast). 

MRS. HILTON — "Why, Grandma, all our pictures were 'took/ 
as Quincey says, down at the barnyard." 

GRANDMA — (Severely). "Well, they are not to be repeated 
as far as the members of my family are concerned. You, of course, 
Jessie, can do as you please. Dinah, take the gentleman through the 



FIRST ACT— SCENE ONE 21 

different rooms, but see to it that none of us are taken." (Reads with 
much interest at the hack °f the room.) 

DINAH — "Well, Miss 'Lizabeth, it's just as yo' says. Come 
on, sir. (Pushing Quincey out of her way). "G'way dar, yo' imp of 
satan." (Exit left with the movey man. Grandma exit right.) 

MRS. HILTON— (Crossing left .to William). "There, Mr. 
Allingham, I know that I have offended Grandma. I don't see any 
harm in having my pictures in the movies, do you?" (Look beseech- 
ingly at him, he laughs). 

MR. ALLINGHAM— "Well, I can't say that I do, Jessie, 
but it all depends upon the point of view that you take of the matter. 
With mother, her family life is a very serious thing, in fact a sacred 
thing. From that point of view I can well understand her attitude. 
With you, it is different, not having any idea of family life. The 
publicity of the moving pictures is for you all right." (William exit). 

MRS. HILTON— (Pouting). "Listen to him. No idea of 
family life, just because I like a little gaiety." (Crosses to Mr. Robert- 
son, Sr.) "Mr. Robertson, what a fuss they are making about these 
pictures. Why naturally the picture man wanted the handsomest per- 
sons he could get, and it goes without saying, that your son and I are 
the best looking here except yourself, of course. Now don't you think 
so?" (Smiles up at him. Robertson, Sr. looks serious, but smiles kindly 
at her as he speaks.). 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— (Aside,— ) "Only a child!" "You both 
have your share of good looks, but I do not agree with your view of the 
pictures." 

MRS. HILTON — (Tossing her head exits, but says before she 
leaves — ) "That is because you didn't see them." 

ROBERTSON, Sr. — (Walks slowly across the stage front, 
looking back from lime to time at Robertson, Jr., who has seated himself 
on the settee). "Jim, come here." 

ROBERTSON, Jr. — (Rises slowly, tying and untying his neck- 
tie, seeming absorbed comes center). "Well, father, what is it?" 

ROBERTSON, Sr. — Jim, was your picture taken with Mrs., 
Hilton?" 

ROBERTSON, Jr.— (Startled). "Sure thing." 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— "Was Hilton around?" 



22 HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

ROBERTSON, Jr.— (Annoyed). "Hilton around? Around 
what? What do you suppose he was around, father?" 

ROBERTSON, Sr. — "Come, come, Jim. You are evading the 
question." 

ROBERTSON, Jr. — "By George, I don't know what you are 
driving at, father." 

ROBERTSON, Sr. — " 'Tis a new thing, Jim for you to bandy 
words with me. Son, you know what I am asking you. Was Mrs. 
Hilton's husband present when you and Mrs. Hilton's pictures were 
taken together?" 

ROBERTSON, Jr.— (Growing angry). "Mrs. Hilton's husband 
is hardly ever present. I don't know what she married such a man for." 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— "That is it, Jim, she is married." (Very 
pointedly). 

ROBERTSON, Jr.— (Hotly). "What the devil are you driving 
at, father? I am no child." 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— (Sadly). "You have said it, Jim. You 
are no longer a child." 

ROBERTSON, Jr. — "Then why are you treating me as one? 
What are you suggesting? That I have no honor, because I try to make 
a poor little woman, tied to an unsympathetic idiot, happy for a moment? 
Am I to be catechised? Those two are not congenial. She as much as 
told me she will be forced to get a divorce." 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— ( Terribly agitated). "Divorce! Jim, you 
know the Episcopal church does not sanction divorce. Has it gone 
that far?" 

ROBERTSON, Jr. — (Very angry). "No, but you have gone 
crazy, father." (Exit). 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— (Center tossing his hands up). "My 
God! Spare me that! He is her son." (Door R. C.) 

CURTAIN 



FIRST ACT— SCENE TWO 



(The selling of First Scene may he used in Second Scene.) 
(If convenient to stage director, a drop curtain representing a back 
door leading out from a small sitting room, and showing a moonlight 
scene on landscape in \eeping with Nebraska might be dropped, in mid- 
dle of kitchen scene, a drop light; on center table, flowers, etc. Grand- 
ma near table. Jack and Quincey either side of her, Jack leaning against 
her, Quincey absorbed in whittling a bird house. Grandma mending.) 

QUINCEY — (Looking up at her). "Grandma, de meadow lark 
sang like this (whistles a few notes with the orchestra) today." 

JACK — "No, Quincey, he sang this way." (Whistles.) (Or- 
chestra.) 

QUINCEY — (Starts up and sings with dramatic action — ) 

Oh, de mocking-bird of ol' Virginny, 

He sing when all is night: 
But de meadow-lark of new Nebrasky, 

He sing when all is light. 

Oh, de possum cute of de cottony state, 

He sneaks when all is still ; 
But de prairie-dog on de rising knoll, 

He dance in winter chill. 

But de mocking-bird and de meadow-lark, 

They fills me all with glee ; 
But de possum cute and de prairie-dog, — 
(Throws up hands.) 

They all belongs to me. 

(A darky break-down is danced by both between stanzas.) 

JACK — "John Quincey Adams and I were watching for one 
hour a meadow-lark, yesterday, and Aunt Dinah said we were wasting 



24 HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

time. Waste of time, watching God's diamonds sparkle on the wav- 
ing grass, showing as the sunlight shone through them, all the tints of the 
rainbow. Waste of time, watching a little brown mass of feathers dart 
across the grass, in an ecstasy of joy, almost bursting its throat in a 
struggle to tell all it saw saw in that meadow; thanking God for all the 
diamonds on the grass and the little brown babies hidden in the shade of 
the rising, knowl, and above all — " (rising and stretching his arms over 
his head) "above all, for the air of Nebraska, the ^rand sweeping air 
of Nebraska. Oh, Grandma, Nebraska beats Virginny all to smash." 

GRANDMA — " Tis right that you should feel so, Jack. Ne- 
braska is your state, but, bless me, I didn't know that I had two poets 
in my family." 

QUINCEY— "Who am they, Grandma?" 

GRANDMA — "You and Jack, Quincey Adams. God grant 
that you ever keep your hearts free and pure enough to enjoy God's 
beauties. Never is it a Waste of time to study His works. That in 
itself is education but, Jack dear, your father worries when you don't 
study other books. 

JACK — (Indifferently.) "Oh, time enough for that. That re- 
minds me. Grandma, Father Mac told me the other day, when I met 
him in town that he was coming up here next week to see if Quincey 
here, knew enough Catechism to make his first Communion. He said 
that he feared that you had been too indulgent to him, allowing 
Quincey to have his own way about Confession." 

QUINCEY — (has been listening with an exaggerated interest, 
not unmixed with dismay. When Confession is spoken, he utters an 
aspirated — ) "Gosh!" 

GRANDMA — "Yes, Jack, he speaks truly. I have been to blame 
in allowing Quincey to be 50 old before making his first Confession, but 
I thought as Quincey grew older, he would outgrow his foolish fear of 
Confession. I want him to realize what a consolation it is to the truly 
penitent sinner." 

QUINCEY — "Consolation! Consolation, be damned.' 

GRANDMA — "Quincey, you dreadful boy where did you 
learn to swear?" 

QUINCEY — "Mammy Dinah says it's de debbil." (Laughing.) 
"I aint neber seen him." 

GRANDMA — (Striving to hide a laugh, rvhich Jack §i ves ™ a V 



FIRST ACT— SCENE TWO 25 

to). "Jack, get me the Catechism out of the drawer in that table. 
This boy is going, without fail, to Confession next week." (Jack § e ^ s 
and gives the Catechism "while Mr. Robertson, Sr., enters left.) 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— (At the door left) "May I come in?" 
(Grandma smiles, rises and points to a chair.) "I looked for you in 
the kitchen, where I have been used to finding you, holding your levee, 
but you were absent." 

GRANDMA — (Laughing.) "That is one thing in which I have 
not followed William's advice. Years ago the dear fellow fitted out a 
beautiful parlor for Mary, his wife, and me; but habit you know, is 
second nature, so I had formed one in the pioneer days — that of sitting 
in the kitchen with Dinah. Mary naturally did the same. You see 
years ago neighbors were few and far between. My poor Dinah, used 
to the darkey quarters in Virginia, nearly died from homesickness, so 
to cheer her up I made my parlor of the kitchen. But sometimes when 
Dinah bakes a lot she makes the kitchen too hot for me and then I seek 
the shelter of this living room." 

ROBERTSON, Sr. — (Seats himself near Grandma's arm-chair.) 
"I have been out walking in the moonlight with Allingham, but as he 
was obliged to ride to town, I did not care to accompany him. I came 
back and, of course, sought the mistress of the home. You are busy 
with the boys?" 

GRANDMA" Yes, I was about to hear Quincey's catechism." 

ROBERTSON, Sr. "Please don't let me interrupt you." 

GRANDMA — (With a significant glance.) "The lesson will 
not last long. Quincey, 'Who made you?' " 

QUINCEY— (With a delighted smile.) "God made me." 

GRANDMA— "Why did he make you?" 

QUINCEY — "That I might love him and preserve him and be 
happy with him for all 'ternity." 

GRANDMA — (Severely.) "The word is serve, serve him, 
John Quincey." 

QUINCEY— (Flippantly.) "Preserve him." 

GRANDMA— (Shakes her head.) 

JACK — "He knows those first chapters by heart, question and 
answer, Grandma. Ask him the Sacraments." 

GRANDMA — "How many Sacraments have you received, 
John Quincey?" 



26 HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

QUINCEY — (Seems puzzled and answers slowly.) "Two, 
Baptism and Matermony." (Jack doubles up with laughter.) 

GRANDMA— (Smiling.) "What is Matrimony, Quincey?" 

QUINCEY — "A place of fire, where some souls suffers for a 
time." (All laugh. John Quincey is embarrassed). 

GRANDMA — (Kindly hands him over to Jack f»iih — ) "Here 
Jack, take him to your room and see that he learns that chapter before 
he goes to bed." (Exit right the boys and enter left, laughing, Mrs. 
Hilton and Robertson, Jr., the latter starts as he sees his father but 
puts on an indifferent front saying — ) 

ROBERTSON, Jr.— "Oh, there you are, father. We were look- 
ing for you to go with us, but we couldn't find you." 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— (Seriously, but kindly). "I was not very 
far away. You were walking, too, Mrs. Hilton?" 

MRS. HILTON — "Yes, we had a delightful time on the river's 
bank." 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— "Where was your husband, Mrs. 
Hilton?" 

MRS HILTON — (Laughing.) "Oh, my husband is poking 
around some haystack or other, reading Virgil by moonlight." 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— "You have a brilliant husband, Mrs. 
Hilton." 

MRS. HILTON— (Seems surprised). "Brilliant? Well, if 
seldom joining in conversation be brilliant, he is truly wonderful." 

ROBERTSON, Sr. — "Do you not know that he is quite clever 
at science?" 

MRS. HILTON — (Carelessly.) "I believe that he was made 
president of some society or other." (Coaxingly — ) "But, Mr. Rob- 
ertson, you know life is awfully poky if you are everlastingly studying. 
When / want to go out of an evening, he wants to stay home. When / 
want to bring people to the hotel, he is like a martyr, all because of that 
hateful study. I understand now what mama meant when she warned 
me, we were not congenial. I suppose you will think me horrid, speak- 
ing this way, but you are such a dear that I feel I could tell you any- 
thing; and your son here is just like you." (A meaning glance passes 
between father and son, partly defiant on the part of Robertson, Jr.) 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— (Very seriously.) "Mrs. Hilton, do you 
not know that husband and wife, in order to live happily, ought to 



FIRST ACT— SCENE TWO 27 

meet on some common ground. If science be your husband's hobby, why 
do you not try to study it?" 

MRS. HILTON— (Throws up her hands in horror.) "Oh, 
listen to him. Try to study science! How dreadfully he talks! Would 
you want me to die? I never did a thing in my life that I did not lifye 
to do. Why, it would make me sick right away. Papa found that out 
in my baby days. If I were crossed in anything, there was trouble right 
away. My temperament is so highly strung. But papa said it was lucky 
for all, my disposition was towards making others happy. I am just 
miserable if people are not happy round me. Grandma, that dear old 
Dinah says I may make some candy for the boys, so I am going to 
make some right now. Mr. Jim, are you going to help pull it?" 

ROBERTSON, Jr.— (Gaily.) "Help pull it? If there is one 
thing I like more than another, it is to make candy on a hot May evening." 

MRS. HILTON— (Pouting.) "Now you are making fun of 
me. Isn't he, Mr. Robertson?" 

ROBERTSON, Jr.— "Fun of you, Mrs. Hilton, are you ac- 
cusing me of hypocrisy? Why, I just love to make candy. Making candy 
is an occupation fit for the gods and when you make it in company 
with a pretty woman, (waves his hands in apostrophe) the Island 
of Hesprides is found." (Exit Robertson, Jr. and Mrs. Hilton). 

ROBERTSON, Sr. — (Drawing his chair close to Grandma.) 
"Mrs. Allingham, did you see?" 

GRANDMA — (Kindly studying him.) "My dear friend, see 
what? See two light-hearted persons having a little fun?" 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— (In agitation.) "That's it. Is it fun? 
Since I have told you my story, I feel that I have a claim to your 
confidence. No, that is not what I mean; I feel that I may give you 
my confidence." (Waits,) 

GRANDMA — "Most assuredly you can and must. God has 
sent you to me for some good purpose. I know just how you feel and 
what you suspect, but, my friend, the human heart is a delicate organ, 
not the material heart, but the emotions that sway it, so it must be 
handled with care. At present there is absolutely nothing between your 
son and Mrs. Hilton — just two care- free persons having a good time. 
Let your son think for one moment that you are suspicious of his in- 
tentions, and you will precipitate things." 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— "I know it, I know it. Jim, a fine fellow, 



28 HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

is restive of restraint. When my dreadful disgrace came upon me, I 
felt that all my hopes of happiness here on this earth were centered in 
Jim. Knowing that and fearing that anything might happen to lessen 
his love for me, I know that I often indulged him, often let his impetu- 
ous will go unrestrained, to find out now — " 

GRANDMA — "That whenever we are actuated by purely per- 
sonal motives, we ade apt to make mistakes. Don't let Jim know that 
you have any doubt as to his doing right — " 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— "But I have let him know that I doubt 
him — " 

GRANDMA— (Surprised.) "You have? Oh, no, you don't 
really doubt him; he is too fine a boy. You are simply worrying your- 
self sick over a possible happening." 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— "Mrs. Allingham, do you know that there 
is such a thing as heredity? Such a thing as the child inheriting the 
sins of the parents?" 

GRANDMA — (Laughing kindly.) "Mr. Robertson, I know 
that there is such a thing as children inheriting the physical or mental 
traits of the parents, — but the sins? No. Sins are spiritual, my friend 
and nothing material can give that which is spiritual. The grace of God 
wins against heredity." 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— (Earnestly.) "But the Bible? The Bible? 
'The sins of the parents shall be visited on the children'." 

GRANDMA — "Granted. The effect of the sins — not the sins, 
themselves. I grant you that the son of a drunken father will have a 
harder time to resist temptation than one that has a sober father. The 
tendency of one to drink is stronger than the other through his physical 
make-up, but the son of a drunken father need not yield to the sin of 
drunkenness, if he does not so will."' 

ROBERTSON, Sr. — "Your philosophy is beyond me. His 
mother — " 

GRANDMA — "My friend, you musn't forget that Jim has a 
father; and, if I know human nature, a good man, and with the grace 
of God, and a good father, Robertson Junior will make good." 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— (Much pleased, bows—) "Thank you, 
Mrs. Allingham. Perhaps I am too fearful, but my life has been such 
a sad one, living in the shadow not only of a great sorrow but a great 



FIRST ACT— SCENE TWO 29 

disgrace, that I dread my darling boy going through such a life. You 
have had sorrow, Mrs. Allingham?' 

GRANDMA — "Yes, I have had sorrow, Mr. Robertson. There 
is no life that is a long one, that is without sorrow." 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— "But you have not had disgrace: 

GRANDMA — (Dignity.) "No, I have not had disgrace." 
(Enter laughing Robertson, Jr., wearing an apron, carrying a large 
bowl, and back °f him, dressed in a large calico apron, her arms all 
flour, carrying a large spoon, Mrs. Hilton.) 

MRS. HILTON — "See, Grandma, you must come to the res- 
cue. Mr. Jim has fallen into disgrace." 

ROBERTSON, Jr.— (Holding up a broken egg beater.) "This 
is the disgrace. Mrs. Hilton, anxious to make some divine stuff — divine 
hash, isn't it, — ordered me to oxygenize the eggs." 

MRS. HILTON— "He started all the trouble, Grandma. He 
shocked Dinah's piety by emphasizing the word 'divine' — " 

GRANDMA— (Puzzled.) "Divine?" 

MRS. HILTON— (Both laughing.) "Didn't you ever eat Divin- 
ity, Grandma? No? Well, that is what Mr. Jim calls divine hash. It is 
candy, you know, made of eggs and nuts and things — *' 

ROBERTSON, Jr.— "Chiefly things." 

MRS. HILTON— "Don't interrupt, sir. Well, I gave him the 
eggs as the easiest — " 

ROBERTSON, Jr.— "Easiest? Heavings! Why, I nearly 
broke my wrist — " 

MRS HILTON — "Yes, and broke the egg-beater in the bar- 
gain." 

GRANDMA— (Laughing.) "I see nothing for it, Mr. Jim, 
but to ride to town and purchase another egg-beater." (Enter Dinah 
left.) 

DINAH — "Looky 'ear, Grandma, this here Mr. Jim, he done 
broke the egg-beater I've had ever since Quincey were a little pickinniny 
— all with his ridiculous flirtations. He weren't paying no 'tention to 
what he were a doing, and then they were both a-making fun of de 
Almighty, a-calling a candy hash, divine. Just thing of it, divine. 
(Thunder and darkness. Dinah starts much frightened.) "Oh Lord 
Almighty! Dare yo' punishment. You shalt not take de name of de 
Lord God in vain." (Louder thunder, wind, Dinah rushes 



30 HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

to shut the windows, Mr. Jim tries to help her but she pushes him off. 
Mrs. Hilton rushes to Grandma, Mr. Robertson runs out. Noise of 
cattle bellowing outside, confused talking and shouting. Grandma 
tries to quiet Mrs. Hilton, who seems very much frightened, Mr. Jim 
on left looking kindly at Mrs. Hilton.) 

GRANDMA — "There, there, child. This is only one of the 
many sudden storms we have in Nebraska. It may pass away in a 
moment." (Thunder very loud.) "Child, try to control yourself. We 
women must be calm in moments of excitement. That is the best help we 
can give to the men." (Enter Jack m great excitement.) "Well, son, 
what is it?" 

JACK — (Left center.) "Oh, Grandma, dad's in town and the 
cattle all unhoused and Jerry fears a stampede. Gosh! (Noise of cat- 
tle running.) "There they are." (As he rushes out, knocks against 
Mr. Jim and shouts back — ) 'Come on, you men, and get a horse." 

GRANDMA — (Gently disengages herself from Mrs. Hilton, 
goes to right door saying outside — ) "Please, gentlemen, help all you 
can. Jerry will show you." (Calling back t° Mr. Jim — ) "Come, 
Mr. Jim," (Just as Mr. Robertson, Jr., attempts to follow her, Mrs. 
Hilton rushes to him and clasps him around the neck with — ) "Don't 
leave me. Don't leave me. I shall die." (Enter left Mr. Hilton, who 
seeing the two, starts violently with — ) "My God! In Jim's arms." 
(Then advancing towards them takes her with apparent calmness and 
places her in a chair with a cool — ) "Control yourself, Jessie. There 
is no immediate danger. This storm is likely to pass as suddenly as 
it came. Only be calm." 

MRS. HILTON— (Hysterically.) "Calm! Calm!" (Thun- 
der.) "Oh — That's just like you. Nothing can move you. Oh, you 
haven't got a heart or anything. Oh, I shall die — " (Noticing Rob- 
ertson, Jr., going towards left entrance — ) "Stop, Mr. Jim, don't leave 
me with Harry." (Robertson, Jr., looks slightly disgusted, hesitates, 
looks at Mr. Hilton, who back °f his T^ife seems to be wounded, and 
who in end goes out leaving Mrs. Hilton and Robertson, Jr., alone with 
Dinah.) 

DINAH — (To the center.) "For de Lord! What coming to 
you, Miss Hilton, insulting yo' own married husband? Chile, dat aint 
what de gospel teaches. What de Lord has joined — " 



FIRST ACT— SCENE TWO 31 

MRS. HILTON — ( Very angry). "Dinah, how do you dare to 
speak to me like that?" 

DINAH — "Dare nothing. Yo' may hav hystrics on 'count de 
storm, but dar aint no 'casion for yo' to snub yo' husband every chance 
yo' gets. He's a powerful, good, young man just worshippin' de ground 
yo' walk on — " 

MRS HILTON— (Pettishly.) "He doesn't either. He does not 
care a bit about me." (Great noise of storm.) "Oh!" (Clinging to 
Robertson, Jr.) "Oh, you hateful old darkey! If Harry were like 
you, Jim — " (Mr. Robertson Jr., starts as she uses his christian name 
"without a title). "Why, Harry Hilton is just a block of ice. Look at 
him leaving me at such — leaving me with you, Jim. You have some 
soul, some heart." (Enter Grandma right; Mr. Jim pulls away, un- 
noticed by Grandma, from Mrs. Hilton.) 

GRANDMA— "Thank God, William returned home, met the 
stampeding cattle and headed them towards the farm at the moment the 
men came up, but they are all dreadfully tired and excited, so you had 
better fix a little lunch for them in the kitchen, Dinah. But stay, Sue 
and I can see to that. Dinah, you take this poor child and put her to 
bed." (Handing Mrs. Hilton to Dinah, the three in the center; Dinah 
tosses her head — ) 

DINAH — "Put her to bed yourself, Miss 'Lizabeth. She sure 
nuff a spoiled chile. I done see to the men." (Exit.) 

MRS. HILTON— (Pettishly.) "I am not a child, Grandma, 
and I am not going to be treated as such." 

GRANDMA — (Looks at her with surprise, but says quietly — ) 
"As you please, Jessie, but it is a time that women must work so you 
may go and help Sue set the table." (Exit Jessie and Robertson, Jr. 
Grandma sits wearily in center, leaning her hand on her head. Seems 
in deep thought, finally speaks. Storm ends.) 

GRANDMA — "No, I never had disgrace. Sorrow, yes; dis- 
grace, no. Oh, my baby, my boy, why are you not here tonight? Dead? 
Perhaps. He must be; he would never keep silent for all these years, 
he that loved me so." (Enter Dinah, looking sharply at Grandma, ad- 
vances to her, shaking her head.) 

DINAH — "There you go, Miss 'Lizabeth, worry 'bout de boy 
dat's dead and gone, when yo' had ought to be thanking de Almighty 



32 HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

for de one He left yo\ Yo' trabel a long way be for' yo' find another 
better than Massa William, I tell you'." 

GRANDMA — "And you tell me true, Dinah. William is a 
grand son, but there were things in Charley, dainty touches of thought- 
fulness that William never had nor never will have. I couldn't help 
thinking about him tonight when I found William gone to town, the 
cattle stampeded and no man to head affairs. Go, Dinah, they are 
calling for you. I won't fret any more." (Dinah exit left. William enter 
right, "Walks quickly to center, rubbing his hands.) 

WILLIAM — "Talk about providence. If Providence wasn't watch- 
ing over those cattle, I don't know what Providence is. Mother, when I 
heard the stampede, I felt instinctively that it was our cattle. I soon 
came up to them but they could not hear me yelling, with the thunder 
and the wind. It would have been all up with them, for the leader was 
headed right for the railroad tracks, when who should dash up in the 
dark but Bob Robertson. I didn't have any gun, but I knew he always 
carried one, so I yelled to him to fire right straight ahead up in the air. 
By George, for a man who has never been on a cattle ranch, he is a 
wonder. I hardly had the words out, when Bob fired. That settled it. 
Old Bombsy, the leader, turned smack around and dashed off for home 
with the whole herd tearing after." (Throws his arm around Grandma 
and in turning her face to kiss her, discovers tears.) 

WILLIAM — "Tears! Great Scott! My Sparatan mother hasn't 
been afraid of a little storm, has she?" 

GRANDMA— (Smiles up at him.) "No, William, I do not 
know what fear is, but I must confess that when I found you were not 
home, I could not help feeling lonesome for Charley." 

WILLIAM — (Suddenly draws away from her with a stern face.) 
"Why, mother, do you bring back that disgrace? He is forgotten, what 
is the use of bringing him back?" 

GRANDMA — (With a great wrath.) "Forgotten by you — you 
have judged your brother by man's cruel justice, but not forgotten by 
his mother." 

WILLIAM — "Why will you persist in remembering a son who, 
if he is alive, seems to have forgotten your very existence? But, non- 
sense! He is dead; and, were he alive and to come tonight, by God, 
I tell you, mother, either he or I would leave." 



FIRST ACT— SCENE TWO 



GRANDMA — "William, if Charley Allingham left this house, 
his mother would leave with him." 

WILLIAM — (Pacing, back and forth in front of Grandma, 
speaks bitterly.) "Yes, that was always the way, mother. You always 
backed the good-for-nothing idler, with his fobbish ways, his love of 
dress — a good-looking dude, that was all he was. He wasn't any good 
on the farm; and what did he do with his college life) Tell me that." 
(Walks close to her in great anger.) "There wasn't a blot on a single 
member of the Allingham family, as far back as you can go, till — till — " 

GRANDMA — (Rises in great agitation, lays her hand on her 

sons right arm.) "Stop, William, — don't say it. Don't . Son, 

you have a bigger sin on your soul tonight, than your brother, if he be 
guilty. You have the sin of judging another without a hearing; you 
with your smug conceit on the honor of your family, are tarnishing that 
same honor with your pride and your hate." 

WILLIAM — (Turning quickly, says to left to audience) "God, 
if she were a man, I'd strike her.' 

GRANDMA — "You speak of his disgrace. What proof have 
you that he disgraced us?" 

WILLIAM — (Turning with impatience). "Mother, what's got 
into you tonight? We have discussed every phase of this over and over. 
I tell you if Charley Allingham didn't steal that money from his class- 
mate, he would have stood his ground. But he didnt; no, sir, he didn't. 
When John Jones reported to the authorities of St. James College that 
he, Jones, had lost fifty dollars — , where did they find that same fifty 
dollars? Tell me, mother, where did they find it? In Charley Ailing- 
ham's locked desk. What did he do? Did he come home to us? He 
would have, if he'd been innocent. Not a letter, not a line in thirteen 
years. No, he is a thief." 

GRANDMA — (Center of stage with great dignity. William left 
of her, slightly turned left.) "By the verdict of circumstantial evidence, 
your brother, dead or alive, according to man's hard lines of justice — 
is a thief; but according to the verdict of every true mother's heart, 
my heart, until he pleads his own case, Charley AJlingham is an inno- 
cent man. And if he acknowledges that he is guilty, — his refuge is 
still here.' 

WILLIAM — (Suddenly moved, advances towards her, with — ) 
"Mother, mother." 



HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 



GRANDMA — (Runs to him and throws herself on his breast.) 
"William, you know that I love you. Your children have been my 
children ; but oh, don't break my heart by carrying in yours this bitter- 
ness against your brother." 

WILLIAM — (Folding her to his heart, bowing his head over 
hers.) "Mother, forgive me." 



CURTAIN 



SECOND ACT— SCENE ONE 



SETTING : A beautiful garden of the convent school. 

(Enter Carleone from the iback center, left, very slowly in deep 
thought. When she reaches the center, leans against a tree and talks 
aloud.) 

CARLEONE — "How can I do it? How can I give them up? 
Five years is a long time when one begins to think — fi ye years of love, 
of patience with a wild wayward, stupid foreigner. How much they 
have taught me and how much there is yet to learn! A life-time could 
never pay them; but for their teaching, what would my money mean? 
How would I have used it? Ah, my dear father, you knew what you 
were doing when you tied up my fortune till I was twenty-five. Would 
that you had lived that I might show you by my love, how much I regret 
the selfish, hot-tempered days of my childhood." (Sister Ambrose en- 
ters left back °f Carleone and gently places her hand on her shoulder. 
Carleone turns quickly, carries the hand of the sister to her lips.) "Sister 
darling, can you read my thoughts?" 

SISTER AMBROSE — (Smiling, puts her arm round the girl 
and leads her across the stage to right, seat at base of tree. They seat 
themselves, Carleone at right of sister.) "Read your thoughts? My 
child, that is no new occupation for me. I have been reading your 
thoughts for the last five years. Your face, Carleone, is as a book, 
where I may read strange matters." 

CARLEONE — "Yes? And you may change Shakespeare to 
suit yourself, my teacher of English." (Laughs.) 

SISTER AMBROSE — "Is not that the way to assimilate the 
literature of different countries, to make it part of you? But your 
thoughts, dear — you were grieving at the thought of giving up your 
school and teachers. I do not say your class-mates, as the two you love 
best, will be with you, at least for a time." 

CARLEONE — (Surprised.) "How well you have read my 
thoughts." 

SISTER AMBROSE — "And your graduation — Are you wor- 
rying about not being able to graduate?" 



36 HOME LIGHT OP THE PRAIRIEF 

CARLEONE — (Slowly as if thinking.) "Yes, I believe that 
the fact that you are not going to have any graduation exercises the year 
I should graduate, is a disappointment; but the heart-ache is the separa- 
tion — (Overcome hides her face on the sister's shoulder. Sister com- 
forts her and finally pisses her head, with — ) 

SISTER AMBROSE— "My darling, here come the girls. For 
their sakes, control yourself." (Agnes and Mollie run in right and throw 
themselves at the sister's feet.) 

MOLLIE — "Such a search as we have had for you two. We 
might have known where one is the other is, mightn't we, Agnes ?" 

AGNES — "Of course, why not? Why should not two great 
minds admire each other?" 

SISTER — "Is my truthful Agnes turned flatterer?" 

AGNES — "No, Sister, I am really trying to follow your teach- 
ing, — to tell the truth whenever I can, and I truly look upon you two as 
great; you, because you belong to God, and Carleone, because she has 
done so much with herself." (Girls laugh.) 

MOLLIE — "Agnes is deserving of the title given her by the 
Sophs. — 'The Preacher'." 

AGNES — (Laughing.) "Oh, the poor things! I always hap- 
pen to be round when they are in mischief, and of course as it is against 
my principle to tatle as they elegantly term it, I feel it incumbent on me 
to bring them — " 

MOLLIE — (Saucily.) "To bring them to time, Agnes." 

CARLEONE — (Checking off on her fingers.) "Slang! That is 
the fourth time today, Miss Mollie. The treasury of St. Joheph's 
Literary will grow large if you continue your elegant English." 

MOLLIE — (Rise left center, waving her hands.) "Well, what 
is a poor mortal to do, having spent twelve years of her life with a 
Quincey and a Jack, on a farm at that?" 

AGNES — (Crosses left to Mollie.) 'Tis true, what she says. 
I really think that Mollie should not have to pay so many fines for the 
use of slang because, as she says, her early years were spent on a 
farm with Jack and Quincey." 

CARLEONE — (Left of tree.) "Agnes, I believe could find an 
excuse for his satanic majesty. But as I am the treasurer of that same 
St. Joseph's Literary, it is my obligation to see that the treasury be filled 
at any cost — " 



SECOND ACT— SCENE ONE 37 

MOLLIE — (Interrupts, crosses right to bench.) "I believe the 
men of the Bourse, the Exchange and Wall street are animated by the 
same principles, and, in their endeavor to keep the treasury full at any 
cost, are deluging Europe with blood." (All laugh. Agnes crosses up 
center.) 

SISTER — "I see, Mollie, that you are putting your lessons on 
political economy into practice." 

CARLEONE — "Into practice, Sister? Bless you, Mollie intend- 
ed to write an essay on that subject for graduation, 'The Brutality of 
War,' and she is just airing her views." 

AGNES — (Crosses down center.) "Oh, how I wish she could 
have written it! I would give my life to stop this dreadful war." 
(Stands center, with arms uplifted, three back °f ner exchange signifi- 
cant glances.) "How dreadful it is that the image of God should — 
that noble men should — be sacrificed like so many cattle. Oh, Sister, 
Elenore showed me the papers she received from her brother who is 

fighting on the line of ; he sneaked the papers out, and it is 

awful!" (Trembles with agitation. Sister stands quickly and takes 
her in her arms, with — ) 

SISTER — "Agnes, Elenore had no right to give you those papers. 
You should not have seen those harrowing pictures. You ; — " 

AGNES^ — (In Sister's arms, looking up at her.) "Why should 
I not have seen them? Sister, why do you treat me differently from the 
other girls? Do you look on me as a baby, eighteen years old, about 
to leave school? Surely I should face the sorrows of life. I shall have 
to see them some time." (Carleone turns away and wipes her eyes back 
of Agnes. Mollie looks off right.) 

SISTER — (Placing Agnes on bench and sitting beside her, the 
two girls on either side.) "My darling Agnes, I do not regard you as a 
baby, and if my treatment of you differs from that which I give to the 
others, it is because you are not strong and should not excite yourself 
unduly. You know that the last time the doctor saw you, he told you to 
be careful about climbing stairs or high places." 

AGNES — (half pettishly.) "Oh stairs are not sorrows of others. 
You have often told us, Sister, that we should sympathize with the 
griefs of others if we want to be noble women, and how can we sympa- 
thize with others, if we do not know that they are suffering? I don't 



HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 



think that paper hurt me one bit. I am a great deal stronger than I was 
last year." (Sister and Carleone exchange glances.) 

MOLLIE — "But Sister, you have forgotten that all-important 
subject, 'Why St. Joseph's is not to have a graduating year.' Here 
there are ten girls of us to graduate in the first part of June, and the 
Directoress, a few days ago, springs a mine on us in the shape of a 
closing of an Academy that has been running twenty years, and further 
tells us that she will explain later. It is something dreadful, I know." 

SISTER — "As you three girls have been with the sisters longer 
than the rest of the class, in view of the outbursts of grief that the girls 
will probably give way to when they learn the truth and as Mother 
intends telling them the truth today, she has already notified their par- 
ents, I have asked Mother's permission to prepare you for the tidings 
of the afternoon. The reason we deferred so long telling, we were in 
hopes we should find a way out of the difficulty. (In awe the girls 
cluster round the sister. Sister seeing that Agnes seems more agitated 
than the others, turns to her and says — ) "Agnes will you go to my desk 
in the class-room and read that marked book. I shall explain to you 
later." 

AGNES — (Crosses right center, clinging to her and smiling up at 
her.) See, Sister, I am strong. Oh, please, let me hear with the 
girls. 

SISTER — (Reluctantly.) "Well, it is told in a few words. The 
European war has struck poor St. Joseph's." 

GIRLS — (Together.) "The European war! But how, Sister?" 

SISTER — (Sadly.) "As you know, our Mother-house is in 
Germany. Well, it has ceased to exist and " 

GIRLS — "You mean the house — is destroyed?" 

SISTER — "I mean the house is no longer in existence, being 
blown to atoms, and that without it, our financial support is cut off, and 
that, owing to that, we are not able to meet the heavy mortgage placed 
on this house to pay for that new wing built last year, and the mortgage 
is foreclosed and St. Joseph's passes in a few weeks into other hands." 
( The girls show their grief in different ways. Mollie dashes up and 
down sniffling aloud and cutting at the bushes with a piece of twig. 
Agnes buries her face in the habit of the Sister and Carleone stands apart 
in deep thought, then finally dashes out right entrance). 



SECOND ACT— SCENE ONE 39 

SISTER — "Mollie." (Looks significantly down at the trembling 
Agnes. Mollie understands and after kissing the sister, exits left.) 

SISTER — "Agnes, I shall never forgive myself if this makes you 
sick. Control yourself, dear heart. 'Tis God's will. 'Tis His sign of 
love, His cross. If you love the place and you have only been here 
five years, think of the sorrow of the old sisters and don't add to their 
grief. You know they all love you, dearest. Be brave, for their 
sakes." 

AGNES — (Rising and drawing the sister to a seat.) "Sister, I 
grieve for more than that. You, who have known my inmost thought, 
know my heart* s ambition. You know the Day of my Graduation was 
to see my entrance into Religion — was to see me one of you, — and 
now — I know there are other convents, other orders, but this is my 
choice and as you have so often told me this is the only house of your 
order in America. What shall I do, where shall I go?" 

SISTER — (Struggling to control herself.) "My child, you say 
truly. Your beautiful soul was ever an open book to me; but let me 
ask you, Agnes, have I ever encouraged you in the thought of being in 
Religion?" 

AGNES — (Thoughtful for a moment, says in evident surprise.) 
"Now that I think of it, you never did. Is it possible that you didn't 
want me to? When the Lord told me so plainly He wanted me?" 

SISTER — (Weeps.) "Yes, Agnes, the Lord wants you." 

AGNES — (Delighted and quickly.) "You say so, then why 
was it you never encouraged me? Tell me, dear Sister, is there not 
some way that it may be fixed that I may be one of you?" 

SISTER — (In an agony.) "Oh, child of my heart, must I be the 
one to break it to you?" 

AGNES— (Puzzled.) "Break what?" 

SISTER — "I told you, dear child, that the Lord wants you, 
but not as you desire. He wants your heart, Agnes. He wants your 
will." 

AGNES— (Simply.) '"He has long had both.'" 

SISTER— (Significantly.) "Not both." 

AGNES — (Terrified as the significance of the sister's meaning 
dawns upon her.) "Oh, Sister, what do you mean? Tell me quickly." 

SISTER — "I mean, though every sister here would welcome you 



40 HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

with open arms if you were in a condition to enter Religion, none with a 
conscience could welcome one as near death as you are." 

AGNES— "Death? Death?" 

SISTER — "Oh, my child, don't agitate yourself. Did not the 
doctor tell you that your heart was bad." 

AGNES— "But that is not death" (Center.) 

SISTER — (Left center.) "With care you may live a number 
of years to add to your mother's happiness, but one great shock may be 
sufficient to cut short your existence. Don't take it so hard, darling. 
You have given Him your heart, complete the sacrifice and give Him 
your will. No greater love is shown in the service of God, than to be 
able to say with truth 'Thy Will be Done.' Can you say it, Agnes?" 

AGNES— (In great agitation, turns away from her.) "Not yet, 
not yet." (Exit slowly right and left.) 

(Enter center Mr. West accompanied by. Carleone. They cross 
down center to the bench and seat themselves, rather she seats herself, 
he stands left of the bench.) 

CAROLENE. — "It was most opportune that I met you now at 
the Rectory. I don't believe Father Donnely, the dear, could give me 
half as worldly advice as you could, Mr. West. Sister Collette gave me 
permission to visit with you out here; the parlors are so crowded, on 
account of the sudden closing. It seems Mother has telephoned all 
morning to the girls' parents and they are here in crowds. But as I said, 
you can give me worldly advice." 

MR. WEST — (Bowing with a smile.) "Then I am to infer 
from your remark, Miss Spinola, that you regard me as one of those un- 
conventional monsters, dubbed by the nuns as WORLDLY?" 

CARLEONE — (Seriously.) "No, I did not mean that. I want 
advice about some business and, as I told you I went to the Rectory to 
get it, if possible from Father Donnely, but on second thought I see 
how foolish that was. The dear old man knows nothing about the 
world or business. You have heard the dreadful thing about the sisters 
having to foreclose?" 

MR. WEST — "You mean the scamps that are going to fore- 
close on the sisters?" 

CARLEONE— (Eagerly.) "Are they scamps, Mr. West?" 

MR. WEST— (Decidedly.) "Undoubtedly, they are. I wish 
I had an opportunity of horse- whipping them. Father Donnely knew it 



SECOND ACT— SCENE ONE 41 

before it reached the sisters; as you know my month's sojourn with the 
old priest has drawn him very near to me. Naturally, he told me a 
piece of news that interested him so closely. I am afraid that it will 
break the old man all to pieces, you see he has been the sisters' chaplain 
nearly twenty years." 

CARLEONE — "Can we do something to prevent it?" 

MR. WEST— "I wish to God I could." 

CARLEONE— "Are you not a rich man, Mr. West?" 

MR. WEST — "Indeed, I am not. Do you think me the pro- 
prietor of the movie picture concern, Miss Spinola?" 

CARLEONE — "I thought you were. You seem to have every 
thing to say about the management." 

MR. WEST— (Smiles.) "Not quite. Of course, for the last 
month that I have been taking pictures in this neighborhood, I have been 
in charge, indeed, I am in charge wherever the pictures are taken, but 
that does not make me the proprietor or give me the capital. Although 
I stand high in the estimation of Mr. Moore, the proprietor, I am simply 
an employee with a stated salary. You thought that I might help the 
Sisters?" 

CARLEONE — (Sadly.) I hoped so, but I am sure that you can 
help me in some way. Father Donnely thinks so much of you and — 
and — Oh, I don't know- — you seem to be such a responsible person, 
that -" 

MR. WEST — (Laughing and coming round to the front of the 
bench, looking smilingly down at her.) 'Tis nice that you have such 
thoughts of me, Miss Spinola. I believe that you have kinder thoughts 
of me than the sisters." 

CARLEONE — (horrified.) "Kinder thoughts than the sisters! 
Why, Mr. West, how can you talk like that? You know the sisters 
must think a lot of you." (Crosses right center.) 

MR. WEST — (Apparently amused.) "Indeed, I am glad that 
I stand high in the esteem of the good sisters. I feared that I did not. 
I have noticed that when I have been taking pictures of their beautiful 
convent, the nuns saw to it that the rooms were remarkably barren of 
pretty girls." 

CARLEONE — (Laughing.) "Can you blame the sisters? 
Surely, you know that convent girls as a rule are ripe for any fun, except 
such staid seniors as I am. You see I am older than most of the class 



42 HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

and, in consequence, I have liberty. When I came here from Spain, 
I was just eighteen ; I am now twenty-three. Papa had large possessions 
in Spain, but larger ones here in America, and he, wisely, thought that if 
anything happened to him, all my other relatives being dead, it would be 
a wise thing to see that I was conversant with the English language. So 
five years ago, I came here a wild, selfish, stupid foreigner " 

MR. WEST — (Bowing.) "Judging from the polished young 
lady before me, I should be pardoned if I do not give full credence to the 
selfish, wild, stupid, etc." 

CARLEONE — "Well, you may. Two years ago, papa died 
not leaving me as wealthy as he hoped to do. And then, too, that 
strange clause in his will ties my hands. I cannot use the small principle 
he left me till I am twenty-five. This is what I want to ask you, could 
that clause be in any way broken? Could I use this money to help the 
sisters over this trouble?" 

MR. WEST — (Approaches nearer to her rviih undisguised ad- 
miration.) "Noble girl, 'tis a thought worthy of yourself, but I doubt 
if it can be done. I believe the scamps, the Scotter Brothers, will not 
allow anyone to deprive them of the pleasure of taking this old but 
magnificent pile. 'Tis simply a case of rabid prejudice. They are 
sore till they oust these religious women." 

CARLOENE — "But, Mr. West, wont you, when you arrive in 
St. Louis — you are going there before you reach Nebraska, are you 
not?—" 

MR. WEST — (Gravely.) "I'll make it a point to do so, if you 
want me to take it in." 

CARLEONE — "My bankers are there. Could you not see them 
and ask them if they could break that clause of my father's will?" 

MR. WEST — "I shall certainly make every effort to do so, but 
don't build on it. The month spent here has been the happiest of my 
life. May I continue the free-acquaintance when I reach Nebraska?" 

CARLEONE — "Continue it. Most assuredly. I am going to 
spend the summer with my two chums, Mollie and Agnes at the farm in 
Nebraska. That's Mollie's place. It's a few miles from Alliance, a 
most beautiful spot. You will find there a real old-fashioned Southern 
lady in Grandma. Everybody calls her Grandma, though I feel more 
like calling her Mother." 

MR. WEST— "Why." 



SECOND ACT— SCENE ONE 43 

CARLEONE — "Oh, she is not old like most grandmas. She is 
very youthful in her ways, but she is such a mother. I have never known 
mine, and I just love her. We have written to them telling them to 
expect us in a couple days. They were all coming for the graduation 
exercises, but not knowing what the trouble was, we did not say or ex- 
plain why we were going home in May instead of June. I suppose 
they will be making all kinds of conjectures and Quincey Adams, an 
adorable darkey who calls me Charley Honey — I spent two summers on 
the farm — , will be about crazy." 

MR. WEST — (Gravely.) "As I stated before, I am only an 
employee of the company, and in consequence I am not my own master, 
but I am obliged to take some pictures of that part of Nebraska for the 
play that I am posing. I shall have the happiness of seeing you at in- 
tervals? My assistant is at work there now. From the last account, 
he was taking pictures of the Allingham Farm. That is Miss Mollie's 
home, is it not?" 

CARLEONE — "Oh, how lovely! But it is strange so con- 
servative a person as Grandma, in the privacy of hei own home, would 
allow movie pictures to be taken of it. But then, Grandma would sacri- 
fice a good deal for the sake of others' happiness." (Enter Mollie right 
cross left.) 

MOLLIE — "I think it a burning shame. "Oh, Mr. West, how 
are you? I thought you had finished taking the convent." 

MR. WEST — (Cross center.) "I have. Are you always going 
to associate me with the movies, Miss Allingham?" 

MOLLIE — (Laughing.) "It does seem funny doesn't it? But 
you remember the first time I met you some weeks ago, you were taking a 
picture of the class-room, and I had to break all rules and regulations 
by bursting into the room and almost getting my picture took." 

MR. WEST— "It was took." 

MOLLIE — "O — o — o — ! Do the nuns know? You surely 
are not going to use it in your play, are you?" 

MR. WEST — "I hope you give me credit for some principle, 
Miss Allingham, I did not have your permission to take your picture. It 
was an accident that I couldn't avoid and necessitated taking another 
picture of the class-room, as I had pledged myself not to use any of 
the young lady studients in my public pictures. In my travels over 
Europe before the war. (Girls together:) 



44 HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAJRIES 

GIRLS — "Europe!" 

MR. WEST — "The Norse Brothers paid my expenses all over 
Europe and I took many pictures for my own pleasure, when I got through 
with their work. I shall show them to you, sometime. But your picture 
— I assure you, (to Mollie) was an accident. May I keep it?" 

MOLLIE — (Looking down shyly.) "Do you want it, Mr. 
West?" 

MR. WEST- — (Approaching her eagerly.) "I surely want it, I 
want something to bring back to me the happiest time of my life, and if 
Miss Spinola would allow me the great honor of taking her's just as she 
stands, for a memento, you understand ?" 

CARLEONE — (Hesitatingly.) "I do not know if that is just 
the right thing. It was different with Mollie. Hers was an accident, but 
mine — If you will pardon me, Mr. West, till I consult with Sister— 

MR. WEST — (Coldly.) "If you have any doubt on the matter 
Miss Spinola, that is sufficient." (Walks right and stoops and picks up 
a flower. Aside — ) "Fool that I was to ask her. What does she 
care about me?" 

MOLLIE — (Mollie crosses io Carleone. Aside to Carleone.) 
"Gracious! Carleone, how you hurt him. What harm is there in giving 
liim a picture?" 

CARLEONE — "No special harm, but I am not sure that it is 
right." 

MOLLIE — "It is certainly wrong to hurt another's feelings. 

CARLEONE — "That reasoning is wrong, Mollie. There are 
times, when in defense of right we are obliged to hurt another's feelings. 
But I shall try to make amends. (Carleone approaching Mr. West, with 
outstretched hand.) "Mr. West, I hope my not giving you permission 
to take the picture will not prevent you visiting us on the farm." 

MR. WEST — (Eagerly.) "Do you care to have me come, 
Miss Spinola?" 

GIRL — (Enter excitedly.) "Mother Bernard wants all you girls 
in the study hall." (Mr. West bows to girls and they go out following 
the girl left.) 

MR. WEST— (In the center.) "My God, what shall I do? 'Tis 
the meeting of the roads, which shall I do? One step may spoil all. How 
pretty they both are, but so different. Dear Mollie wanted me to have 
it, but Carleone Ah ! There is metal there. What would she 



SECOND ACT— SCENE ONE • 45 

say if she knew I had taken it? (Takes pictures out and examines them, 
drops one.) "Here they are in a group of three, how beautiful they 
looked in the full glow of sunshine — Agnes, the angel, with her pure 
pale, golden beauty; Mollie with her studry strength, her frank nobility, 
her nut-brown hair and pretty gracefulness; and Carleone, in darkness, 
the queen — the woman. What right have I to steal these pictures? Am 
I not breaking my promise to the sisters? These are sacred — only to be 
looked on by me, till some day when I tell her they have made me a 
better man. They have restored my faith in humanity. Yes, I'll keep 
them." 

(Curtain on the First Scene of the Second Act.) 



SECOND ACT— SCENE TWO 



SETTING: The Convent Garden as before — the same day 
towards evening. (Sister Ambrose seated in center on bench right with 
a portfolio of pictures before her. Carleone on her right, Mollie seated 
at her feet, Mr. West standing left of bench.) 

SISTER AMBROSE— (Too#ng "P of Mr. West. ) "Yes, 
thank you, she is very much better. Indeed, I left her sitting up. I 
shouldn't be surprised to see her walking out here. You understand, 
Mrs. West, these heart attacks, though very acute, do not last long." 

MR. WEST — "But for one of her fragile make-up, they must 
be very dangerous, Sister?" (Aside — / wish I could find that picture 
I dropped.) 

SISTER — "Yes, I am sorry to say, our darling Agnes' days are 
numbered. Still, there is no knowing. She rallies very quickly. Per- 
haps, it is her youth; but I fear that God will soon call her to Himself. 
She is almost perfect." 

CARLEONE — "Perfect! Sister, she is a heroine. Naturally 
gentle, almost timid, she never hesitates to do the hardest things, 
if she thinks them right. May I tell Mr. West (Dark, Mr. West nerv- 
ously looking in direction of bushes.) about the latest trial, Sister? 
No names, you know." (Sister smiles and bows assent.) "You are 
looking for something?" (Mr. West, nervously.) "Oh it is nothing, 
you were saying — " 

CARLEONE — "Well, a week ago, a number of girls were hold- 
ing a big argument, and the girl who was wrong, because of her strong 
personality was influencing the others to her way of thinking. Agnes 
was there and fearing to make a scene if she contradicted the statement 
of the other, our gentle Agnes remained silent; but that night, — she 
sleeps next to me — I heard her sobbing and got the whole story from 
her. She was grieved because she had proved a moral coward. The 
next day our angel made it a point to tell that same crowd of girls she 
had been a coward the day before because she had not contradicted 
the wrong statement." 



48 HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

MR. WEST — (Is very much interested and when coward is men- 
tioned stales — ,)"Miss Spinola, what is a moral coward?" 

CARLEONE — (Seems surprised and looJ^s at him before an- 
swering.) "Why, surely you know, Mr. West. A moral coward is one 
who through fear of what others might say or think, does a wrong thing." 
MR. WEST — "You do not admire a coward, Miss Spinola?" 
CARLEONE — (With great spirit.) "Admire a coward? I have 
contempt for a coward, physical or moral." 

SISTER — "Contempt is a strong word, Carleone." 
CARLEONE — "Not any stronger than I feel, Sister." 
SISTER — "Carleone, you would be stronger if you were more 
merciful." 

CARLEONE — (Slightly angered.) "Sister, you do not admire 
a coward any more than I do." 

SISTER — (Rises to left of Carleone, places hand on the girl's 
arm and says impressively.) "Admiration and contempt are not the same 
things." (Bell rings.) "There is my bell. I must now leave you. You 
know, Mr. West, the regulations of the Academy, but as this is an 
exceptional time, I grant you a few minutes to visit unchaperoned with 
Carleone. But not longer than a half hour, the evening is coming on. 
Goodbye." (Exit left. Mr. West rises and bows low to the Sister and 
then crosses to the left of Carleone.) 

MR. WEST — "I appreciate her courtesy; but it strikes me there 
is a good bit of unnecessary espionage in the convent schools." 

CARLEONE — (With a surprised manner.) "Do you really 
think it unnecessary P" 

MOLLIE — (Dashes in right from center, followed more slowly 
by Agnes.) "Pardon, friends, I hope I don't interrupt a tete-a-tete, but 
Sister Ambrose met Agnes, and sent us to keep you company." 

MR. WEST — (To Carleone. Agnes crosses to tree west center.) 
"Sister does not seem to trust me much. Possibly she fears we may 
elope." (Carleone and Mollie both laugh. Full moon slowly rises* 
effect of sunset on west.) 

MOLLIE — "If you don't hurry, the gates will be closed in ten 
minutes and you will have to scale the walls." 

MR. WEST — "Another remnant of barbarism — gates and walls, 
the latter closed in broad day light. Now in these modern days '* 



SECOND ACT— SCENE TV/O 49 



AGNES — (Advancing right center.) "You remember the words 
of the canticle, Mr. West? 'My Spouse is a garden enclosed!' 

MR. WEST — (Staring at Agnes in a puzzled surprise.) "A gar- 
den enclosed, Miss Redman?" 

CARLEONE — (Left of Agnes, taking her hand leads her to a 
seat.) "You puzzle Mr. West, dear, you know he is not a Catholic, 
and probably does not understand the meaning of your quotation." 

AGNES — (Putting her arm around Carleone's shoulder, waving 
Mr. West to a rustic bench, motions to Mollie to sit at their feet.) "Our 
outside brethern, Carleone, study the Bible as well as we." (Mr. West, 
who seems troubled, rouses himself to say — ) 

MR. WEST — (Turning to Carleone.) "On what ground do you 
base your supposition that I am not a Catholic, Miss Spinola? You 
mistake, I am a Catholic." (Girls look at each other in astonishment, 
Carleone says with spirit — ) 

CARLEONE — "A nominal one, Mr. West. To our certain 

knowledge, you have been visiting in this neighborhood for one month 

first with Father Donnely, then with the Brattons — and during that time 
you have never attended Mass in the sisters' Chapel." 

MR. WEST — (Slightly annoyed.) "There are other chapels 
and churches — beside the sisters'." 

CARLEONE — (Slowly and doubtfully.) "There are, but the 
nearest church to us is fifteen miles." 

MR. WEST — (Laughingly.) "Fifteen miles isn't much on horse 
back." 

CARLEONE — (Rises and approaches him with a charming as- 
sumption of penitence.) "Oh, Mr. West, forgive my rash judgment. Of 
course, you could easily ride fifteen miles on a Sunday morning to 
Greyson." 

MR. West — (Taking her hand and bowing over it.) "For- 
give you? I could forgive murder to so charming a penitent. But you 
are hard on Catholics that do not attend Mass on Sundays, Miss 
Spinola." 

CARLEONE — "You astonish me, Mr. West. No law-abiding 
citizen respects the man who breaks the laws, so with the practical 
Catholic, he does not respect the non-observer." (Crosses to Molly right.) 

MR. WEST — (Crosses back t° Agnes* seat and says to the audi- 



50 HOME LIGHT OP THE PRAIRIES 

» 
ence, in the act of crossing). "The Lord help me, if she ever finds out." 
(Then bending over Agnes — ) "How is our charming patient?" 

AGNES — "So much better, thank you Mr. West, that I begged 
Sister to send the girls home. Grandma will be about crazy at the delay." 

MR. WEST — "You do not intend to accompany the girls to the 
farm? You intend to stay here?" 

AGNES — (Passionately.) "Stay here? O my God, if I could 
only die here." 

MOLLIE — (Springs toward her and gathers her up in her arms 
and soothes her as she would a child. Carleone and Mr. West look on 
with great interest. Mr. West seeming very excited as to the result of the 
excitment on Agnes.) "Agnes, dear heart, control yourself. You know 
that none of us, Carleone, you, or me, may leave here with your heart 
and nerves in such a condition. You are ordinarily so unselfish, think 
of father and grandma's anxiety about us all. 'Tis nearly three weeks 
since we first wrote about the school being closed, giving no explanations, 
and here we are still — waiting for you to get better. What will they 
think?" 

AGNES — (Reclining on Mollie looks up with a brave attempt 
to smile.) "You can leave me here." 

CARLEONE — (Crossing to Agnes.) "Child, have some sense. 
You know perfectly well that we cannot leave you here. The Sisters 
are going to move out. Their mortgage is foreclosed; there is no saving 
them and We girls cannot go to the farm without you. You know how 
Grandma loves you. For all our sakes, try to keep calm." 

AGNES — (After a moment's pause, recovers herself and stand- 
ing center, says — ) "Dear friends, forgive me. I should have thought of 
you first, but the sorrow was so strong." (Half turns to Carleone who 
takes Agnes' hand in hers, pais it gently. Enter in great excitement a girl 
left who runs to center.) 

GIRL — "Oh, what do you think, girls! Sister Winifred met me 
and told me that the parlors are so full that she had to send your 
grandma and father out here and they are coming right now with Alice." 
(Great delight expressed. Mr. West seems sorry, looks as if he were 
going to run out left, till Mollie in her excitement drops the 'portfolio 
she has just picked up and she and Mr. West both stoop at the same time 
and accidently bump their heads together. Mollie rubs her head, laughs, 



SECOND ACT— SCENE TWO 51 

and waves her hands excitedly, acting as if wild with joy. Mr. West 
thoughtfully rubs his head and says to audience — ) 

MR. WEST — "If her heart is as hard as her head, the Lord help 
the man who gets her." 

MOLLIE — (Laughing to him.) "Oh, Mr. West, what are you 
saying? Oh. Joy! Agnes, sit down and keep still, child, till I bring them 
in." (Makes a mad rush to center hut is stopped by girl.) 

Girl — (On steps.) "Carleone, Sister said you were all to stay 
here in the garden till they come. There is so much trouble finding 
the girls for different friends, that the sisters are most crazy." (Exit 
right, in house.) 

CARLEONE — "She says right, Mollie, you will only miss them. 
Think of dear old, gracious grandma coming for us. Be calm darling. 
Mr. West, please pull that bench here, Agnes is trembling with excite- 
ment." (Mr. West pulls the bench forward.) 

MOLLIE — (Excitedly looking off left.) "There they are down 
by St. Joseph's walk. I'll run down there and bring them up." (Goes to 
dash off but Carleone running swiftly across the stage, catches her and 
laughs.) 

CARLEONE — "Yes, you'll run down the path by the Angels 
and they may make the turn by St. Rita's Shrine; and you'll miss them." 
(Mollie struggles to get away.) " Mr. West, come here and make this 
impatient girl behave." 

MR. WEST — (Left, speaking as he crosses.) "I suggest that 
Miss Allingham takes the path by the Angels and I go by that of St. 
Rita's, so one of us must meet them and direct them aright. (Exit left. 
Mollie crosses the stage, exit right. Carleone crosses to Agnes. Immedi- 
ately after, a little lower down enter Mrs. Hilton and husband, Mr. 
Robertson, Sr., and Jim. Carleone very much astonished meets them 
center and greets the gentlemen first and goes to welcome Mrs. Hilton, 
when Mollie dashes in back °f Mrs. Hilton and throwing her arms 
around Mrs. Hilton, cries: 

MOLLIE — "Oh Grandma, Grandma." 

MRS. HILTON— (Laughingly disentangles herself.) "Not 
quite a Grandma yet, not quite Mollie." (Crosses right. Mollie greets 
her with evident disappointment, general excitement, moves around shak- 
ing hands, talking together. Mr. West has entered left, remains apart 
Watching them.) 



52 HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

MOLLIE — "But where is she, didn't Grandma come?" 

MRS. HILTON— "No, I am her substitute. Mr. Allingham 
couldn't leave and wouldn't permit Grandma to come without him. 
There's woe and lamentation on the farm. Both Quincey and Jack are 
on a strike — Dinah raging, and Grandma sad." 

CARLEONE — "But how was it you came Mrs. Hilton?" 
(Crosses back 1° Agnes.) 

MRS. HILTON— "Well— " 

MR. ROBERTSON, Sr.— (Interrupts.) "I offered to escort 
you girls — " 

MRS. HILTON — "Yes and declared he wouldn't go without 
Mr. Jim — and I just would not stay on the farm without Mr. Jim — 
and — Mr. Hilton would not stay without me — so there!" 

MR. ROBERTSON, Sr.— "By George, this is an ideal place 
for girls, 'tis a crime that the Sisters are losing it." (Crosses to Mrs. 
Hilton.) 

MOLLIE — (Eagerly.) "Do you know they are losing it?" 

MRS. HILTON— (Breaking in.) "To be sure we do, that 
dear old man who came on the train with us from Jackson. He was all 
broken up, wasn't he, Mr. Jim?" 

MOLLIE— "What old man?" 

MR. JIM — "That fine old priest, Mr. Donnely. Great Scot, 
no wonder the Catholics are proud of their ministers; he told us all 
about it, didn't he father?" 

MR. ROBERTSON, Sr.— (Laughs.) "Yes, and he got us 
all so worked up, that if the Scotters wanted to accept payment on their 
mortgage claims, Mr. and Mrs. Hilton and I wouldn't have had enough 
money to take you girls back to the farm." 

CARLEONE— (With delight.) "How perfectly splendid of 
you Mr. Robertson, to want to help the Sisters, and you, Mr. Hilton, 
how fine of you to offer your money." (Crosses to Mr. Hilton.) 

MR. HILTON — (Seems embarrassed.) "It wasn't my money, 
it was Mrs. Hilton's." (Mr. Robertson, Sr., pulls him aside, across to 
footlights.) 

MR. ROBERTSON, Sr.— "That's a bad break boy, a bad 
break." 

(The others back center talk together backs to audience.) 

MR. ROBERTSON— "A man should never acknowledge that 



SECOND ACT— SCENE TWO 53 

he is in any way his wife's inferior. I grant you a hundred times that the 
average woman is superior, vastly superior to the average man, but as you 
value your wife's respect, boy never let the outside know that you are 
not the man of the house." 

MR. HILTON — (Sorrowfully.) "But it is her money, and Rob- 
ertson she let's me know it a thousand times a year. I know she would 
respect me more if I didn't show how it hurts, but it hurts." 

ROBERTSON, Sr. — "Pshaw! boy, if she has the money you 
have the brains." 

MR. HILTON — (quietly.) "But she has brains and beauty 
too." 

MR. ROBERTSON, Sr.— (Smiles kindly and understanding- 
ly.) "To be sure she has, the gypsy. But you have more, Most women 
want the man to be boss. Don't you forget it." 

MRS. HILTON — (Who has been Matching them approaches 
them on the right.) "Say, what are you two talking about?" 

(Carleone' who has noticed Mr. West standing alone on the left 
brings him and introduces him to Mrs. Hilton. After Carleone crosses 
to Mr. West, Mr. Jim crosses to tree bench followed by his father. Mr. 
Hilton crosses back t° bench right. 

CARLEONE — "Mrs. Hilton I want you to meet our friend, and 
our dear old Father Donnely's friend, Mr. West." (Carleone right 
center — Mr. West left center.) 

MRS. HILTON— "Delighted to be sure. But I didn't know you 
convent girls were accustomed to entertain young gentlemen in the con- 
vent grounds." 

MOLLIE — "Oh Mrs. Hilton, his is an exceptional case, he is a 
personal friend of the Chaplain and through his influence, Mr. West 
has been enabled to take some pictures of the convent for some movey 
picture he is getting up." 

(Mrs. Hilton s manner grows cold as she says significantly.) 

MRS. HILTON— "Movey picture? Oh!" 

(Carleone resents the other's coldness by being more attentive to 
Mr. West, taking him over to the gentlemen and introducing him, while 
Mrs. Hilton right center from others says to Mollie whom she has drawn 
aside :) 

MRS. HILTON— "Who is he Mollie? Good looking enough, 



54 HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

but what are the sisters thinking about, having you girls entertain a 
movey man. 

MOLLIE — (Indignantly.) "A movey man? What is the matter 
with a movey man? Is he, a genus, different from the rest of mankind?" 

MRS. HILTON— "Oh, he isn't of our set, you know. He is- 
certainly not the proper person to associate with you girls." 

MOLLIE — (Still indignant.) "If Father Donnelly and the 
sisters have thought him a proper person to associate with us, I do not 
think you have any right to question it? And whatever a man's occupa- 
tion be, if he be a gentleman, that is credential enough to let him pass 
muster in any set. 

MRS. HILTON— (Pettishly.) "Gracious, Mollie, I didn't 
expect such a philippic. I \noxo Grandma wouldn't allow him to visit 
at the farm. 

MOLLIE — (Half ashamed of her heat.) "Pardon me, Mrs. 
Hilton, I have my father's quick temper. But if you remember you are 
only in America a few years, and you do not understand that some of our 
best families are interested in the movey business; and as I said before, 
a gentleman may be such in any legitimate business. But it was lovely of 
you to try to help the sisters." 

MRS. HILTON— (Smiling.) "Yes, the dears, but those horrid 
Scotter Brothers wont take a cent. Oh, you ought to have heard Mr. 
Robertson." (Crossing to him.) "Aren't you glad you came?" 

MR. ROBERTSON, Jr.— "De lighted, as Teddy says. ' 

(On right of his father.) "Yes, and it was a real act of heroism on 
Dad's part to leave the farm." 

(Agnes putting her arm through that of Mr. Robertson:) 

AGNES — "Mr. Robertson, you like the farm or Grandma." 
(General laugh. Jim doubles up and says:) 

MR. JIM— "That's one on Dad." 

MR, ROBERTSON— (Looking kindly down on Agnes and 
speaking with great reverence unmindful of the merriment around him.) 
"Both, little angel, both. The Allingham farm is a beautiful setting 
to one of the most beautiful pictures of lovely womanhood, it has ever 
been my good fortune to meet. I mean Grandma." 

MR. JIM — "Jupiter! This looks serious. So all that enthusi- 
astic talk on the charms of nature — " 

(Mr. Robertson interrupting:) 



SECOND ACT— SCENE TWO 55 

MR. ROBERTSON— "Was honest, son, was honest. Yes 
friends, the farm life is the greatest blessing that man can have. A. 
farmer has health, God's fresh air, everything to eat that the human 
system craves, and the viands on his table reach him straight from 
Cod's own earth, pure as God's air can make them, and if the artistic 
side of him craves beauties, he doesn't have to go to the theatre, to 
the movey pictures, he has them right before him, beauties of trees, hills, 
the waving prairies, and the boundless expanse of the unhidden skies, 
God's own movey picture. 

(Great enthusiasm, all laugh and crowd around him.) 

CARLEONE — "Take care Mr. West, or the farmer will put 
you out of the business." 

MR. WEST— (Bowing.) "And right glad I should be; I am 
heartily sick of the movey picture business. 

MR. JIM — (To Mrs. Hilton.) "He seems struck on Carleone." 

MOLLIE — (Clapping her hands.) "Give it up Mr. West, give 
it up and settle on a farm." 

MR. JIM — (Who has been studying Mr. West, crosses to him 
slightly insolent and says:) "You are interested in farming?" 

MR. WEST — "Yes, I am very much interested in farming." 

MR. JIM — "Oh, you are, are you?" (To audience.) "A 
prospective rival." 

(Mr. West seems amused by the other's covert jealousy and crosses 
over to Mollie, pays her attention. Mrs. Hilton draws Agnes down 
on the bench.) 

MRS. HILTON — "Agnes, darling, I am so glad you girls are 
coming home, you know I promised our dearest Grandma to stay a whole 
summer on the farm and if it were not for Mr. Jim, (he's a darling,) 
I should certainly die of ennui. Farm life, horrors! But Mr. Jim made 
it bearable. If I had to live all my life on a farm I should die, I know 
I should die of lonesomeness. 

AGNES — (Seems very much surprised.) "But surely if your 
husband stayed with you, you would not be lonesome, Mrs. Hilton." 

MRS. HILTON — (Tosses her head.) "Husband nothing, as 
Aunt Dinah says. Why child my husband is a poor fool — 'tis only a 
question of time when I shall have to divorce him." 

AGNES — (Horrified draws from her.) "Oh, you do not mean 
it? You are making fun of me. Say you are, oh please say so." 



06 HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

MRS. HILTON— (Decidedly.) "Indeed I am not making fun 
of you. (Taking hold of Agnes and speaking with great passion.) 
"Agnes, you angel girl, you don't understand, you cannot understand, 
being tied for life to a mummy, to an Egyptian mummy — a man without 
a particle of feeling, as cold as ice — why he doesn't care what I do. 
If I hadn't Jim Robertson to talk to I should go mad. 

AGNES — (Rises with great dignity.) "Mrs. Hilton, if I thought 
you meant what you said, you a married woman, I should never speak 
to you again. But I believe you to be, perhaps, nervous because of your 
long trip." (Enter girl, addresses Carleone:) 

GIRL — "Carleone, Sister Ambrose told me to ask you to ask 
Mr. West to kindly show the visitors the guest house, as it is time 
for them to go." 

MRS. HILTON— (Indignantly.) "Time to go! I should say so. 
Pupil and teacher are of a kind, one insults you, has the audacity to 
correct you, and the other sends word 'tis time to go. Come on, Mr. Jim; 
come, people. I am tired to death." (The others who have not heard 
the conversation between her and Agnes, exchange glances. Mr. Jim 
jumps to her side and she looking (triumphantly at Agnes, sails out left 
escorted by Mr. Jim. His father follows more Seriously, the rest exeunt 
except Mollie and Carleone, and Agnes follows on the arm of the girl. 
Carleone and Mollie center.) 

CARLEONE— "What in the world happened to her?" 

MOLLIE — (Laughing.) "I can't imagine, unless it was Agnes. 
Our little preacher probably had a qualm about something that was 
wrong; she got after me about the movey pictures." 

CARLEONE— "Who, Agnes?" 

MOLLIE — "No, Mrs. Hilton, questioned if we should associate 
with a movey picture man." 

CARLEONE— (Indignantly .) "The idea! Mr. West is one 
of the most charming gentlemen I have ever met." 

MOLLIE — "He is fine, isn't he? You think a lot of him, don't 
you, Carleone?" 

CARLEONE— (Startled.) "A lot of him, you say, Mollie?" 
(Speaking thoughtfully). "I do not know what I think of him. I do 
like him — but a lot — What does a lot mean?" 

MOLLIE— "Well, as a possible " 



SECOND ACT— SCENE TWO 57 

CARLEONE — (Embarrassed.) "Oh, stop, Mollie. I never 
thought of such a thing." 

MOLLIE — "Well, perhaps you didn't but he does. I can't 
for the life of me tell whether it is you or me." 

CARLEONE— "Why, Mollie Allingham, what would your 
father think of you?" 

MOLLIE — (Laughs.) "Think of me? Only that I was follow- 
ing in the footsteps of my mother. She was a year younger than I, when 
she became Mrs. Allingham. Come, 'fess up, Carleone. What do 
you think of him?" 

CARLEONE— (Thoughtfully .) "Well, since you will have it, 
I like and do not like him. He lacks something. I believe it is back- 
bone." 

MOLLIE — (Laughing.) "Is it possible? I didn't know that the 
human anatomy could do without a spine." 

CARLEONE— (Laughing.) "Oh, Mollie, be serious." 

MOLLIE — "I am as serious as a judge. You know, dearest, 
what a terror I was when I first came here to school, how I hated the 
place, how I despised books, and now " 

CORLEONE — (With admiration.) "Now, you love them so 
that I was hard pushed this year to keep pace with you, you who were 
walking off with all the prizes. Oh, Mollie, I don't want our school-life 
to close without telling you what an inspiration you have been to me. 
(Mollie becoming embarrassed, tries to shut Carleone 's mouth by placing 
her right hand over it, but Carleone draws it away.) "No. Mollie, I will 
talk. You have so changed your naturally ease-loving nature for that 
of a hard-working student, — all for love of your home people — that, 
that " 

MOLLIE — (Breaking away from her laughing.) 

CARLEONE — (Laughing and chasing her round.) 

MOLLIE — (Turning, pretends to pound her. Enter right Sister 
Ambrose. Comes down center with girls either side.) 

SISTER— (To Mollie.) "Did Mr. West take your friends to 
the guest house, Mollie. Yes? I am glad. Oh, girls, this has been a 
very trying day; thank God it is ended. Although we are losing dear 
old St. Joseph's, we know now that we will soon have another. Girls, 
our friends have been so loyal." 

GIRLS— "When? Where?" 



58 HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

SISTER — "In a few years, we have the promise of having an- 
other. When and where, I cannot say. But you girls will ever carry in 
your hearts the lessons you have learned here. You, my brave Mollie, 
have learned the gospel of work; go out into the world and teach idle 
sisters there that true happiness is found in work. And you, my Carleone, 
with your beauty and your charm, see to it that vanity never takes 
possession of your heart. Remember, both of you, that there is in every 
woman a power for good or evil. You do not realize that now, but 
a moment will come in your lives that you will." (Walks slowly to- 
wards left entrance, speaking with her arms around the two girls.) "And 
when that time comes that you realize to the full the power of your 
womanhood — then see to it no unworthy motive dominates — that the 
best in you wins out." 

CARLEONE — "Please, Sister, this is our last night. Let me 
stay alone for a little while here in the moonlight." 

SISTER — "As you please, dearest, but do not remain too 
long." (Exeunt. Before they pass out a workman enters back °f them 
on the left entrance, carrying garden tools. He seems to be searching for 
something in the bushes along the high wall that surrounds the garden. 
As he is hidden, the head of Mr. West is seen four different times to pop 
up and down. Carleone standing at the left in the shadow of a tree is not 
seen by Mr. West, but she sees him without recognizing him as Mr. 
West on account of his face being shaded by a large hat. He seems to 
be also searching. When he reaches the extreme right, he stands on 
top of the wall walking a few paces on his hands and feet. Carleone. 
frightened, slowly advances and Watches him in great astonishment. 
The gardener, at this point, is searching under a bush and as Mr. West 
jumps down nearly on top of him, he yells and grapples with the other. 
A brisk wrestling begins. Mr. West, before jumping down almost on 
the head of the gardener, says on the top of the Wall — ) 

MR. WEST. "Is the coast clear?" (Looks cautiously around.) 
"Great guns! If the nuns saw me now — " (Laughs, and creaps a few 
steps, stops, looks around.) "If they didn't have that pesky gate double- 
locked, — " (Stops and seems as if listening.) 'Shoot that bell, it gave 
me the creeps. Idiot that I am, to drop her picture. Wonder if it's in 
that bush." (Looks down, but dont see the gardener who is under the 
bush.) "Well, here goes." (Jumps. The gardener yells and grapples 
with him. Carleone runs partly to the center, clasps her hands, runs left, 



SECOND ACT— SCENE TWO &!> 

then back again while the men wrestle in silence until Mr. West throws 
the man from him on all fours. The man jumps up, looks around, and 
runs out with a shout, as Mr. West rushes to the center bush, showing his 
face to Carleone who exclaims aloud with astonishment:) 

CARLEONE— "Mr. West!" (He turns quickly, looks around 
and then rushes up to her, taking her hand.) 

MR. WEST — "Carleone, what do you think of me?" (Carleone 
draws away with great coldness and says — ) 

CARLEONE — "I shouldn't like to say what I think of you, Mr. 
West." (Then looking hastily around to left and right, looks again to- 
left and cries out.) 

CARLEONE — "Oh, run, run! They are coming, the sisters 
and all." 

MR. WEST — (Very much excited.) "The devil, they are.'* 
(Looks first one way and then another in great perplexity, then finally 
running up to Carleone just as Sister Ambrose enters, who sees his back* 
says to Carleone: "I beg of you to think the best of me." (Vaults ta 
the wall and disappears just as sister enters; she stops and watches the 
wall over which she seen him jump, then Sister Ambrose runs quickly up 
to Carleone and asks — ) 

SISTER — "Carleone, who was that man, and what was he 
doing?" 

CARLEONE — (Very much agitated, answers the last question.) 
"I don't know." (Aside.) "I sure don't know what he was doing." 

SISTER — (Looks at her very suspiciously.) "You don't k n °T»* 
Carleone." 

CARLEONE — "No, Sister, I don't know what he was doing." 

SISTER — (Very rapidly, but impressively.) "Carleone, I did not 
see that man's face, but the back was the back of Mr. West, was it not?'* 

CARLEONE — (Very much worked up.) "You can ask the 
gardener, Sister." 

SISTER — (Understanding that the man was Mr. West, is 
grieved and says in astonished surprise.) "Carleone!" 

(Mollie, Agnes, and girls group in back looking in direction of 
Wall. Carleone, slightly back of Sister, stands center with head up look- 
ing at Sister who is turned sidewise near footlights.) 

' CURTAIN 



THIRD ACT— SCENE ONE 



SETTING : Same as Act One, Scene One. 

(Persons in the scene: Agnes in center in a large arm chair propped 
up with pillows, looking very calm and sweet butlpale, her hands folded 
in her lap; Dinah in the hack fe/' behind kitchen table mixing bread; 
Quince)) extreme right near footlights, with his back towards the audi- 
ence, busily engaged in whittling wood, or making something. As the 
curtain goes up, laughing and talking are heard as if from the outside. As 
the curtain is fully up, Agnes turns her head left and says — ) 

AGNES — "So, Aunty, you and Quincey and. I are left to keep 
house?" 

DINAH — (Advances slowly wiping off her hands on her apron 
and speaking as she walks. "Yes, honey angel, you and me will keep de 
house." 

QUINCEY — (Turns head quickly to the center and back again, 
saying — ) "Me, too." 

DINAH — (Scornfully.) "Huh, you, you good-for-nothing nig- 
ger, how you keep house?" 

QUINCEY — (Without stopping in his work or without turning 
his head, answers — ) "Setting here." 

AGNES — (Laughs gently turning to Dinah.) "Yes, Aunty, we 
need Qunicey to help us. See how industriously he is working." 

DINAH — (Looking in the direction of Quincy.) "Working? 
Oh Lordy! Littering up de floor you mean. Quincey, you low-down 
nigger, if you leave a shavin' on de floor, I'll wool you well." 

QUINCEY — (Without turning his head.) "She won't 'low yo'." 

DINAH — "She? who you mean by she?" (Advances towards 
him.) "Aint you got no manners, calling a young lady she. P" 

Quincey — (Without turning head, but louder.) "She aint a he, is 
she?" (Agnes laughs and Dinah tries to smother a laugh in her apron.) 

DINAH — "Land o' Goshen! This wont kneed de bread.'"' 
(Goes back while Quincey, standing up with an effort, having a lapful 
of wood and shavings, goes to Agnes and presents her with a wooden 



62 HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

doll dressed as a plantation darkey. As she takes ihe doll with evident 
pleasure, Quincey leans against her, looking up at her with adoration in 
his eyes and Dinah, full of curiosity, comes up back and seeing what 
the presentation is, throws up her hands in evident anrJ.sement and then 
goes hack, ^ s k m § — ) "You fool nigger, what in heaven's name does 
Missey want with a doll, and a nigger doll at that?" 

AGNES — (Laying her hand caressingly on Quincey s wool, much 
to his delight, says — ) "Why, it is beautiful, Dinah. And to think 
these little hands made it all. You'll be a great artist some day, Quin- 
cey." (Quincey, in dumb show, dances a short break-down. Enter 
from the back door in great haste, Carleone dressed in ihe old-fashioned 
riding dress, holding it up gathered in her right hand in ihe front, a whip 
in her left \hand.) 

CARLEONE — (Bending over Agnes and l(i ssm 8 her.) "Dar- 
ling, I had to come back. I simply could not go with the party, think- 
ing of you sitting here so lonely." 

AGNES — (Taking Carleone' s hands in hers and carrying them 
to her cheek an d resting her head on ihem.) "Oh, Carleone, Carleone, 
what will they think of you?" 

CARLEONE — "They wont miss me. They have Mollie and 
Mrs. Hilton, and as soon as Mr. Jim gets back with the horses he went to 
Mason's to borrow, they will have a host." 

AGNES. — "But the fact that Grandma is away nursing Mrs. 
Howard, and Mr. Allingham in town with a load of cattle, leaves you 
and Mollie for hostess and you should be there, or you should not 
have invited ihem." 

CARLEONE — (Impatiently.) "I know all that you can say, 
Agnes, but I repeat that they will not miss me. They are so engrossed 
with the novelty of the siraw-ride, that I play but a second interest in 
their thoughts." 

AGNES — (Anxiously.) "But, dear, I shall not be happy if you 
stay at home with me, especially as you were the one to suggest a 
straw-ride." 

DINAH — (From ihe table.) "You, John Quincey Adams, come 
yere." (Puis a cloth over ihe pan, sets it on a Utile stool near ihe fire.) 
"I have finished this batch and since Missey Carley Honey is yere to keep 
company with Missey Angel, you come along with me and feed the 
chickens." (Exeunt, holding Quincey by ihe wool.) 



THIRD ACT— SCENE ONE 



CARLEONE — "Well, Mrs. Hilton is such an uneasy mortal 
when no one is round to dominate her restless will, that I thought in 
the absence of both Mr. Allingham and Grandma, a straw-ride would 
be a pleasure to her — but, as for me, I don't care for any kind of excite- 
ment." 

AGNES — (Studying her keenly before speaking.) "No, I have 
seen that, my Carleone, you have taken to brooding lately, and it is not 
all on my account. Have you yet explained by letter to Sister Ambrose?" 

CARLEONE — (Embarrassed.) "Explained what, Agnes?" 

AGNES — "That it was Mr. West who had jumped into the 
garden the night before we left." 

CARLEONE— (Holly .) "I did not say so." 

AGNES — (Calmly.) "It is not necessary, Sister knows as well 
as I that you would not have shielded a stranger, and three weeks are a 
long time for an estrangement between two devoted friends, Carleone." 

CARLEONE— (Hotly .) "She had no right to doubt my word." 

AGNES — (With dignified decision.) 'She had every right. She 
recognized Mr. West, even with his back turned." (As Carleone turns 
away with indications of anger, Agnes catches her by the left arm.) 
"Oh, my darling, I have not spoken of this before; you have always given 
me, unasked, your confidence, but I have no time to wait. I must see to it, 
that when I leave you my best friend, I leave you reconciled to Sister 
Ambrose." 

CARLEONE — (With a passionate gesture, gathers up Agnes in 
her arms.) "Oh, don't don't, Agnes. My God! Don't talk of leaving 
me. The only reason that I did not tell you, Agnes, was that the 
secret was not mine. (Hides her head in Agnes shoulder. Agnes soothes 
her, lifts up her head and kisses. Enter at back entrance with his head 
turned in answer to someone, Mr. Jim.) 

MR. JIM — "All right Quincey, trot back to Aunty, or it will 
not be well with you. My word, Miss Carleone, this is a pleasure, 
indeed." 

CARLEONE — (Rising from her k nees an d brushing her tears 
away from her cheeks.) "What brings you here, Mr. Jim?" 

MR. JIM — (Laughing.) "Well, various reasons, — my bor- 
rowed horse for one thing brought me to the house from Mason's, and 
my legs, for another impelled by a psychological impulse, directed me 
here." ' 



C4 HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

AGNES — (Anxiously.) "Now, Carleone, even Mr. Jim isn't 
with the party." 

CARLEONE — "Mr. Jim promised to escort me on horse-back, 
but he did not rise early enough." 

MR. JIM — (Pretending to be bothered.) "Did I promise you, 
or was it Mollie?" 

CARLEONE — (Laughs.) "Well, under the circumstances, I 
don't believe you will get either of us." 

MR. JIM — "Now look here, Miss Carleone, you know that 
Mollie is tearing jealous of your superior horsemanship. Let's make a 
compromise. You ride with me to the crossways, and coming back I'll 
escort Mollie." 

CARLEONE — (Laughing.) "It is easily seen that young gentle- 
men are at a premium. No, sir, I shall remain here with Agnes." (Agnes 
is about to speak, when interrupted by Mr. Jim.) 

MR. JIM — "My real reason for stopping at Sunshine Farm, is to 
make amends to Agnes for my bearishness last night in refusing to sing 
for her, but that obstinate Mollie so provoked me that I simply couldn't 
be amiable enough to sing anything. Get your guitar, Carleone, and ac- 
company me." (Carleone gets guitar and sits on\ stool at Agnes' feet 
and plays while Mr. Jim, standing right of Carleone and making mock 
love to her, sings. Sings "A Rose is like You, Love." While he is sing- 
ing the second verse, Mollie dressed in riding habit stands at the back 
door listening. When it is ended, she advances and says — ) 

MOLLIE— "Well, of all things! Mr. Jim and Carleone. I 
think it was horrid of you to run away and leave me, Carleone, with 
Mrs. Hilton as cross as two sticks. Oh, Carleone how could you 
snub Mr. West as you did?" 

MR. JIM AND AGNES— (Both exclaim in surprise.) "Mr. 
West? Is he here?" 

MOLLIE — "Yes, he has been round the neighborhood for some 
time, but couldn't make it so that he could get up here till today, jump- 
ing over a wall." 

CARLEONE — (To audience.) " 'Tis not the first time he 
jumped over a wall." 

MOLLIE — "He ran right in front of our horses, and almost 
begged an invitation from us." 

MR. JIM— (Coldly.) "Oh, he begged an invitation, did he?" 



THIRD ACT— SCENE ONE 65 

MOLLIE — "Yes, and when I told him how delighted I would 
be to have him come — " 

MR. JIM— "How delighted you would be? Oh!" 

MOLLIE — "Yes, didn't Carleone step forward and say; Mr. 
West, as Mr. and Mrs. Allingham are unavoidably absent, would it not 
be better to postpone your visit to the farm,' and then without waiting 
to hear his answer, she dashed off leaving me to smooth it over." 

MR. JIM — "Oh, you smothed it over, did you?" 

MOLLIE — "Yes, as he is coming here on foot, I left him while 
I came to get Carleone. Couldn't you, also, return with me?" 

CARLEONE— (Scornfully.) "And Mr. West? Who will do 
the honors for him?" 

Mollie — (Surprised.) "Why, Agnes, to be sure. You know how 
much he thinks of her. Come, Carleone." 

CARLEONE — (Passing io the left exit.) 'You must really 
excuse me, Mollie. I may join you later but at present I have something 
else to do." (Exit.) 

MOLLIE — (Surprised, looking from one to the other.) "Well, 
what do you think of that?" 

AGNES — (Gently.) "Mollie, you know our darling is not sub- 
ject to moods. Forgive her this; she is not herself. I will see to it that 
she joins the party after lunch." (Mollie fyisses Agnes and exeunt Mollie 
and Mr. Jim. Enter. Mr. Hilton left, looking cautiously round and then 
seeing Agnes alone advances quickly down the center.) 

MR. HILTON — "By George! I am glad to find you alone, 
Agnes." 

AGNES — (Surprised.) "You are not with the party, Mr. 
Hilton." 

MR. HILTON— (Dejectedly.) "Ah, they don't want me. Say, 
Agnes, I've got to talk to somebody. I was just making up my mind to 
broach the subject to Grandma, when that sudden sick call came and 
took her away; but you are the next best, Grandma told me that you 
were old for your years." 

AGNES — (Smiling sadly.) "Yes, Mr. Hilton, when one gets 
near — near to — " 

MR. HILTON — (Seeming very much touched.) "Near to 
heaven, you angel girl, I understand." 

AGNES — (Gently.) "You want to speak about your wife?" 



6G HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRTES 

MR. HILTON— "By George, you hit it, Agnes. I'm all broke 
up; she is going to leave me." 

AGNES — (Horrified.) "Your wife?" (He shakes his head 
mournfully.) "Oh, you don't mean it? She wouldn't do such a thing." 

MR. HILTON — "She told me last night that she thought more 
of Jim Robertson's little finger than my whole body." 

AGNES — "But he doesn't care for her; Grandma thinks it's 
Mollie." 

MR. HILTON — "That's what hurts. I know he's just amusing 
himself with her. I wouldn't mind her getting the divorce, if he would 
make her happy." 

AGNES — (Almost screams.) "You don't believe in divorce? 
Your parents — ?" 

MR. HILTON — " were good Methodists, that believed mar- 
riage was made by God, and could not be put aside. Bu I love that 
woman and if separation from me could make her happy, why let her 
have the divorce — if, if he cared for her." (Buries his head in his 
hands.) 

AGNES — (Watches him for a space, then sitting up straight and 
turning to him, says with great earnestness — ) "Your love is not love." 

MR. HILTON — (Surprised, he stares at her.) "But love is 
sacrifice." 

AGNES — "Yes, sacrifice founded on duty. .You have failed in 
your duty to your wife, Mr. Hilton." 

MR. HILTON — "I didn't have the money, — I had nothing to 
give her but my love, Agnes. I let her do as she pleased, — I — ." 

AGNES — "I am only a school-girl, made a woman by the near- 
ness of eternity, but I say this to you, my friend, — whether your wife 
loved you or not, you should have asserted yourself and in some cases 
not have allowed her to do as she pleased. In no case, should you do 
wrong to please her. Divorce is wrong; separation is sometimes per- 
mitted, aye, even advised in our church, but never is another marriage 
lawful in the eyes of God when both of the married persons are still alive. 
The husband, Mr. Hilton, is the guardian of the wife's honor." (Sinks 
back exhausted. Mr. Hilton rises with great solicitude and bends over 
her.) 

MR. HILTON— "Agnes, I'm a brute; I shouldn't have bur- 
dened you with my sorrow." 



THIRD ACT— SCENE ONE 67 

AGNES — I am glad, if speaking to me has made you feel better. 
If I cannot be a sister in the convent, I may try to be one in the world 
but, dear friend, have courage. You have not lost your wife yet. Now 
please assist me to the door of my room; a little rest will brighten me up." 
(Exits, leaning on his arm. Enter Carleone and Mr. West left.) 

MR. WEST — "Now, that I have explained why I jumped the 
Convent wall, am I not forgiven?" 

CARLEONE— (Right, smiling and shy.) "Yes and no, Mr. West. 
It was such a foolish act." 

MR. WEST — (Bitterly.) "It was not the first foolish act I have 
done. Oh, Miss Spinola, — Carleone, I have so longed for you, that I 
could hardly hold myself from coming to see you these three weeks 
back." 

CARLEONE — (Surprised.) "Why did you not come?" 

MR. WEST— (Aside— ) "Hang me for a fool." (To Car- 
leone — ) "I couldn't very well." 

CARLEONE — (Studying him.) "Another mystery? Mr. West 
I despise mysteries.' 

MR. WEST— (Sadly.) "Then a man with a past?" 

CARLEONE— (Sharply.) "We all have pasts, Mr. West." 

MR. WEST— "But a tarnished past?" 

CARLEONE — (Scornfully.) "Is the tarnish in your image- 
ination, or on your name?" 

MR. WEST — "On my name. Carleone, I have done many a 
foolish act in my life, but' this is without doubt the most foolish: — I love 
you, Carleone. I cannot win you for I cannot offer you an honorable 
name." 

CARLEONE — (Proudly.) "Then, in honor, you should not 
have told me of your love, or in telling it you should have left me the 
alternative of rejecting it.' (Turns away. He starts, looks £een/p at her, 
then smiles with delight as he\ says to the audience — 

MR. WEST — "Is she giving me hope? Carleone, forgive me. 
I never intended to go so far, but since I have done so, let me explain. 
Nearly twenty years ago, I had a class-mate in the University of Detroit 
that hated me as a rival in popular favor — I stood high in my class but 
my conduct was not of the best." (Eagerly approaches her.) "Believe 
me when I assure you, it was only the wildness of youth. You are the 
first and only woman of my life; shall I go on?" 



68 HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

CARLEONE — "If you please. I want to hear." 

MR. WEST — "Thank you. One day this student, he shall be 
nameless, told the authorities that he had lost a large sum of money. A 
search was instigated, and to my horror the money was found in my 
locked desk. My confused astonishment was taken for guilt, and I 
offered no explanation. My conduct to the authorities had been in- 
subordinate; my companions were the wildest set in college and I was 
expelled." 

CARLEONE — (Passionately.) "And you were innocent? But 
your people, your relatives?" 

MR. WEST — (Sadly.) "They turned me down also, without 
a hearing. I was returning home with the intention to explain. When 
meeting an old neighbor, she told me she had been present when the 
letter from the University reached them and that my brother believed 
me a thief, and my mother " 

CARLEONE— (Eagerly.) "Your mother?" 

MR. WEST.— 'Was silent." 

CARLEONE — "Not because she believed you guilty. No, it 
was her sympathy; no mother condemns a child, unheard. What did 
you do then?" 

MR. WEST. — "Then I became a wanderer on the earth. For 
years I traveled. I have made good in business, — but I have no name nor 
home to offer the woman I love." 

CARLEONE— "Is not your name West?" 

MR. WEST — "My Name, Carleone, is Charles Allingham." 

CARLEONE — (Runs to him with outstretched hands.) "Grand- 
ma's son. How could you doubt her love, how could you? Oh, Mr. 
West, you have been a — a — " (Turns her head away.) 

MR WEST. "Say it, say it, Carleone. A coward, a moral 
coward? (Carleone turns away from him. He holds her hands.) 

CARLEONE— fro him.) "Yes, Mr. West, you have been 
both selfish and cowardly. You have thought first of yourself, forget- 
ting what you owed to your family, but (smiling vp at him) you have 
learned a lesson. Go back to the University; find the record of that 
fellow student; and see if you cannot clear yourself, and if you can 
not " 

MR. WEST— (Eagerly.) "If I cannot? May I hope? Don't 
be too hard on me Carleone. I have been richly punished for my 



THIRD ACT— SCENE ONE 69 

selfish pride. Do you know darling, my heart has been broken with 
home-sickness. Do you know there have been times that I would have 
been glad to die? Times when one sight of the home-light would have 
dulled all other lights. Listen girl, I have sat in the glamour of the electric 
lights of the Grand Opera House of Paris, I have experienced the 
witchery of the torch-light of Venice, I have been dazed by the splendor 
of the illuminations of the Dome of St. Peter's, but there has been no 
light comparable to the light of the Home-light of the Prairies. Carleone, 
if you refuse me, if you have no hope in my manhood, then there is no 
home-light for me. I am again a wanderer. Your answer quick. Is it 
yes, or no." 

CARLEONE — (Bows her head in thought and he looks at her 
eagerly as the picnic party enter, laughing and shading out their clothes. 
Mr. Robertson, Sr., center of the party, Carleone and Mr. West stand 
apart left.) 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— "Well, by George, there is nothing 
funny in a Nebraska twister. If that rain didn't come sudden, I don't 
know what's what." 

MOLLIE — "Oh, see my hat is ruined for ever, Carleone, you are a 
shrewd one. I believe you felt the rain coming. Folks, I never go 
on a straw-ride again, NEVER." 

ROBERTSON — (Laughing.) "Never is a long time, Mollie. 
The siraw-ride was all right, it was that cuss at Washington, that 
weather man, that did the mischief. Ah, West, glad to see you. I 
heard of you being in the neighborhood. Too bad our genial host is away, 
and that peer of hostesses, Grandma, off on a work of mercy." (Enter 
Dinah and Quincey.) "Aunty, have you heard from Grandma?" 
(Enter Agnes. Dinah runs to her and leads her to her arm-chair, talk- 
ing as she crosses right.) 

DINAH — "Yes, Marse Robertson, I just was talking to Miss 
Mason and she said she seen Grandma yesterday, as she said she were 
a-coming today, that Miss Power is real well." (Mr. West and Car- 
leone exchange glances. Carleone advances to Dinah.) 

CARLEONE — "Aunty, at what hour do you think she'll come?" 

DINAH — "Wall, chile, Miss Mason say Grandma said she'd 
come in the cool of the evening, I s'pose after supper." 

MRS. HILTON — (Advances right center to footlights followed 
by Mr. Jim. "Oh, o — , o — , Mr. Jim, I surely have a thorn in my 



70 HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

hand." (Mr. Jim laughs, lakes her hand in his, draws off her glove and 
pretends to inspect it closely. Enter at the back Mr. Hilton, who watches 
the two at the footlights.) 

MR JIM — "I cannot see anything but a very pretty hand." 
MRS. HILTON— (Pouting.) "I didn't ask for admiration, I 
asked for inspection. Oh, it hurts awful. I must have got it in the hay." 
(All laugh.) "Well, you needn't laugh; I guess I know if I have a 
thorn or not." 

MR. JIM — "Did they abuse the poor little woman? Of course, 
she has a thorn. Let me kiss it." (Raises her hand to his lips, but Mr. 
Hilton springs between, pushes him away almost knocking him down.) 

Mr. Hilton — (With stern dignity.) "I have stood all that I 
intend to. Jim Robertson, I want this nonsense to cease. I want you to 
remember that this is my wife,, and treat her as such." 

MR. JIM— "My word!" 

MRS. HILTON — (First frightened, then delighted, goes to Mol~ 
lie left center and says — -) "Oh, wasn't Harry splendid? Oh, I didn't 
think he had it in him." 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— (Advancing left to center.) "Look here, 
Harry, Jim doesn't mean anything." 

MR HILTON — "That is all very well; nor do the rest of the 
flirts mean anything, but / do mean something. I want him to treat my 
wife with respect or he'll answer to me." 

MRS. HILTON— "O— o—o— . Why I could just love him." 
(Exit Mr. Hilton.) 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— (Pulling Mr. Jim to footlights left.) 
"Now, see where your folly is leading you." (Carleone and Mr. West 
go to the back in deep conversation, with back to audience.) "You 
owe Hilton an apology." 

MR. JIM — Apology be hanged. Hilton is a conceited prig." 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— (Sternly.) "He is a man. The one who 
interferes between two that are pledged for life, is a cur." 

MR JIM — (Starting — with great heat.) . "Father " 

ROBERTSON, Sr. — Stop, son. You know what you are to me; 
I would rather see you dead than a cause of strife between husband and 
wife. Don't talk to me about divorce. There is no such thing as a 
just divorce; divorce is as false as hell." 



THIRD ACT— SCENE ONE 71 

MR. JIM — (Who seems touched by his father's earnestness.) "I 
agree with you dad. 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— (With a delighted surprise.) "You agree 
with me Jim?" 

MR. JIM — Dad, you and I are pals, ever since I was a kid 
knee-high to a grass-hopper, you knew my every thought " 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— (With a sweet sadness.) "Not lately, 
Jim, not lately." 

MR. JIM — (To audience.) "He's got me pinched. See here, dad, 
I'll make a clean breast of it. A short time since — I did lean towards 
Jessie's principles of divorce; but on serious reflection I have changed my 
mind 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— "Thank God". 

MR. JIM — No matter how much a man loves a woman, he 
can't respect her in the end — I fancied I loved Jessie — in fact — I do — 
(Mr. Robertson starts violently.) Not that way father — and even if 
I did there is something in my soul that recoils from the thought of 
divorce — " 

ROBERTSON, Sr. — (In burst of gladness throws his arms 
around Mr. Jim,) "My boy, you make me very happy; but you'll ex- 
plain to HILTON—?" 

MR. JIM — "Explain that I was falling in love with his wife? 
Because he was such an idiot. That would never do Dad. Besides, I 
was only in fun today — " 

MR. ROBERTSON, Sr.— (Interrupting impatiently.) "A pret- 
ty mess you nearly made of it with your fun, Jim." (Enter Mrs. Hilton 
and Mollie left, while Carleone and Mr. West come up center, a porte- 
folio which Mr. West has taken up slips from under his arm and Mr. 
Robertson runs forward to help him, saying as he picks one up — ) 

ROBERTSON, Sr. — "That is fine. These are your European 
pictures, are they not, West? The girls were telling us about them. 

MR. WEST — (Gathering up the pictures and placing them in 
the porie-folio and shading out one, as he speaks.) "Yes. I have some 
pretty good pictures here — now this one is an actual likeness of the 
beautiful woman you see standing here in the entrance to this old castle. 
She was so handsome I could not resist taking her; and strange to say 
the picture resembles Mrs. Hilton very strongly. I wonder if there is any 
relationship?" 



72 HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

(Robertson, Sr., and Mr. Jim left of Mr. West; Carleone and 
Dinah back, Mrs. Hilton right, near Agnes; as Mr. West holds up the 
picture Mrs. Hilton springs before it hiding it for a time from the others 
as she cries in great excitements) 

MRS. HILTON— 'This is my home in France. And, Oh, 
Heavens. This — this is — the picture of my mother. Do you hear folks? 
My mother, just before she died." 

ROBERTSON, Sr. — (Taking it from her, looks at it, groans 
and reels as if he were falling, and is caught by Mr. Jim.) "Good God." 

MR. JIM— "What is it Dad. Do you know her?" 

ROBERTSON, Sr.— "That is a picture of YOUR MOTHER. 
And there stands (Pointing to Mrs. Hilton.) YOUR SISTER. 

(A slight pause — Agnes watches them — then she starts violently, 
throws up her hands with a faint cry and then falls forward clutching 
her heart, Dinah and Carleone both run to her.) 

DINAH— "Oh, my Honey Angel." 

CARLEONE— "Agnes, my darling." 

AGNES — (Slightly recovering throws herself back m the chair, 
at the same time extending her arms.) "Oh the wickedness of the world. 
The sin of it. She was going to be divorced — to marry — to marry 
her brother.' " 

(Mrs. Hilton half wild with excitement rushes to the left of Agnes, 
throwing herself on her knees beside her.) 

MRS. HILTON— "Oh, no, no, Agnes— I didn't— we didn't 
mean anything." 

(Enter grandma at the back followed by Jack an d Quincey; ad- 
vances quickly to the left side of Agnes, gently pushing with firmness 
Mrs. Hilton.) 

GRANDMA— "Control yourself, pray for her." (Mr. West 
exit at the back unseen by Grandma.) 

GRANDMA — "Agnes, do you know me?" 

(Agnes with a great delight, but very weak, embraces her, who, 
with Agnes' arms round her neck turns to Carleone.) 

GRANDMA — (To Carleone.) "Dispatch to her mother and 
William. Yes, dear heart? (Bending down to catch the words) Sister 
Ambrose? and Father Donnely? Will you wait for them? What? It 
is too late? Let you up?" 



THIRD ACT— SCENE ONE 73 

(Carleone goes to door, but stops as she hears Agnes; Grandma 
stands aside; Agnes with sudden strength sits erect with an expression of 
ecstacy, extends her arms; room, filled with light 0/ sunset.) 

AGNES — (In a clear and joyful voice.) "Oh, Listen. Listen. 
Yes, Lord, I am coming, I am ready. Oh is that the Angels singing? 
That light? See that light — 'tis the Angels' wings. 

Soft music — tableau — Grandma supporting Agnes, Carleone at door in 
back, an d Dinah rear, Mollie on the right, Mrs. Hilton bowed to the 
floor left, Mr. Jim next to Mollie, Mr. Robertson left, Jack and Quincey 
praying at foot of arm chair.) — 

CURTAIN. 



THIRD ACT— SCENE TWO 



Two weeks after Scene One of Third Act. 

Same as Act One, Scene One. Curtain goes ut) on an empay s'.age. 
Mr. West enters from the hack, cautiously looking around, then walks 
down center to the footlights, rubs his hands, smiles, look either side, 
breathes audibly, smiles, walks to Grandma's arm-chair, leans on the 
back, looks smilingly down, takes up pillow, puts his head caressingly 
on it, puts it down, walks left center down to footlights, throws arms out, 
brings hands together with a slap, says to audience:) 

MR. WEST — "By George, this looks good to me, — and feels 
good to me. Home at last, with a clean slate This is worth it all." 
(Sits in Grandma's arm-chair with one leg thrown over right arm, his 
back turned to the center of the stage. Enter Dinah right above him 
and does not a first see him, turns back, calls from window — ) 

DINAH — "Quincey! You Quincey! Oh, Quincey, I say!" 
(Mr. West starts, puts on his broad-brimmed hat and pulls it low over 
his face.) 

DINAH — (Goes to back left) "I never seen such a boy — 
always round when there's eais, always absent when there's work" 

MR. WEST — (Turning to audience.) "Natural state for a boy. 
Dinah, thank God, hasn't changed." 

DINAH — (Fussing at back, call — ) "Quincey, yo' yere me? 
Oh, 'tis time you came." (Enter Quincey right, doesnt notice M/\ 
West.) "If I said there was pies for to eat, you'd be yere." 

MR WEST — (Laughing, aside.) "In strong evidence." 

QUINCEY — (Eagerly.) "Is there pies, Mammy?" 

DINAH — "Is there pies? The only pies you'll get, you good- 
for-nothing nigger, is a licking if you don't stir yourself and get me 
some onions. Here, take this basket and fill it plum full." (Quincey 
takes the basket, dodging a slap from Dinah. Comes down center, 
sees Mr. West and starts.) 

QUINCEY— "Gosh! That looks like the boogy-man." 

DINAH — -(Advances wi'.h curicsiy.) "What, fool talk is dat? 



'76 HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

My soul, but that looks like de back of de ol' marster." (Quincey 
catching her skirts, dodges back and forth, peeking at Mr. West. Dinah, 
turning sharply, throws him off, with — ) "You, Quincey, aint' yo' 
done gone for dem onions yet? Git now! ( Quincey runs out hack, 
Dinah advances nearer.) "Say, nobody sits in dat chair, but Grandma. 
You yere?" 

MR. WEST — (Without turning to her, but letting the audience 
see him smile.) "Yes, Aunty, I hear, but like many a deed in the past, 
I don't heed. 

DINAH — "De Lord in heaben! No it aint; yes it is the voice 
•of Massa Charlie. Am it you,, chile? (Hesitates, but as Mr. West 
stands and faces her, she rushes with a cry to him, falls on her knees 
and embraces him round the legs, laughing and crying.) 

DINAH — "Charlie honey, Massa Charlie! Oh, my little pet 
lamb, is yo' come home? Is you come to your old Aunt Dinah?" 

MR. WEST (Stoops and lifts her up, apparently overcome and 
places her, against her will, in Grandma's chair.) "Nonsense, Aunty, 
who has a better right than the nurse of Grandma's children? You sit 
right there." 

DINAH — (Wiping her eyes and beaming on him.) "You sure 
say right, honey. I done nursed ebery chile Miss 'Lizabeth had and, 
Massa Charlie, you was de Benjamin. Yes, sa, you was. Oh, where 
you been all dese years?" 

MR. WEST — (Drawing a chair near to her and speaking eag- 
erly.) "Listen. Dinah, you shall know all, but first we must plan 
about mother. Is she around?" 

DINAH — "No, chile, Miss 'Lizabeth done gone to town this 
morning and William, he's with Jackson Smith down to the Mill. They 
both liable to be home any minute, — and if your ma ain't sort of pre- 
pared for your coming home, she just as like to drop daid as our angel, 
Agnes, done." (Wipes her eyes with her apron.) 

MR. WEST — "Surely, an angel lent for a short time to this 
sinful earth, — but, Dinah, you don't think my mother would be fright- 
ened if she saw me suddenly; mother was always a tower of strength in 
joy or sorrow." 

DINAH — (Earnestly.) "I sure am strong, but my legs and 
arms is shaking just like I had the old chills and fever, — and all because 
you come so sudden. What then would your mother do?" 



THIRD ACT— SCENE TWO 77 

MR. WEST — (Rubbing his face, mediatively.) "By George, 
that's O. K., Aunty. What do you suggest?" 

DINAH — "Why, there's nothing for it but to set and watch for 
her, and I'll go out and prepare her like. Yo' wait yere and I'll go send 
Sue down the road." (Exits. Heard calling outside, while Mr. West 
walks back and forth humming a song.) 

DINAH — (Outside.) "Oh, you Sue, Sue, yo' come right yere. 
Yes, I want you to go down by the bars and wait till yo' see Grandma 
riding in de moterbeel, and then you run here like satin was after yo', to 
tell me. Go long, I'll splain after." (Enters as she says the last.. Walks 
left center to Mr. West.) "Say chile, what for in the name of God, 
did yo' keer about that dirty John Jones's money?" 

MR. WEST — (Starts and looks at Dinah with a pained re- 
proach.) "Why, Aunty, do you believe me guilty?" 

DINAH — "Believe yo'd rob any man? Yo' de son of Miss 
'Lizabeth and Massa Joseph? No, sa, no, blood 'ill tell, boy. I'd a 
killed that John Jones, if I'd a ketched him." 

MR. WEST — (Very much affected, throws his arms round her 
shoulders.) "Dinah, you may have a black skin, but your heart is red, — 
'red with a deep veined humanity.' Tell me, how does William feel 
about it?" 

DINAH — (Seems embarrassed.) "William? Oh, he don't say 
much one way or tother. Say, Charley, yo' can't clear it up, can yo'?" 

Mr. West — (With a cry of triumph.) "Clear it up? I should 
say so." (Puis his hand in his vest pocket, draws out a paper.) "This is 
my pass, my character, Dinah." 

DINAH — (Throws her hands up and sings ihe first verse of the 
hymn, "Holy God,") "There's your mother's prayers." (Changing 
her manner io one of anxiety.) "Yo' aint done and got married, has 
you ? 

MR. WEST — (Laughing hearlily.) "Not guity there either. 
Aunty." 

DINAH— "Oh, thank God! I got a girl in my eye fo' yo' lad. 
Only I misdoubt but you come too late. I am 'fraid she's wasting her 
'fections on some Mr. West, the girls met down South at school." 
MR. WEST— (Eagerly.) "Who is the girl, Dinah?" 
DINAH — "She's a Spanish girl stopping with Mollie and Agnes. 
the angel that died. Charley Honey, we call her." 



78 HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

MR. WEST — (Trying io control his delight) "She is gone on 
a Mr. West, you say?" 

DINAH — "Well, I don't know as I had ought to have said that, 
only I heard Mollie and Agnes, afor' she died, talking 'bout it and I, — - 
since the funeral two weeks ago, Carleone seems to be grieving for more 
than a girl-friend, though she was an angel — " (William heard calling 
outside.) 

WILLIAM — "Quincey, oh, Quincey, I say!" 

DINAH — (In great excitement.) "Oh, for the love of God, run 
Massa Charley, run ! Don't meet William till your mother comes home." 
(Tries io push him out left. Enter William bad? center, advances 
rapidly till on the right of Mr. West right center, stops short with an 
aspirated — ) 

WILLIAM— "Charley Allingham!" (Dinah hack.) 

MR. WEST — (Smiles, advances with outstretched hand.) "The 
same Will. You look as if you saw a ghost. Wont you shake hands, 
brother?" 

WILLIAM— (Sternly.) "The hand I take must be clean." 

MR. WEST — (Still smiling and holding out the hand.) "This 
as clean as your own, brother." 

WILLIAM — (More angry.) "That is a bold assertion; your 
proofs." 

MR. WEST — (Growing slowly angry.) "The proof is my own 
conscience." 

WILLIAM — (In a great flash of anger.) "Your own con- 
science? Oh, your conscience didn't trouble you much when you left 
your mother broken-hearted for thirteen years — -" 

MR. WEST— (Gently.) "You are right, William; I was a 
cad." (Enter back entrance, Carleone.) 

WILLIAM — "Look here, Charley Allingham, you are not go- 
ing to come it over me with yourmeek and Moses air, you COWARD." 

MR. WEST — (Losing control of himself and approaching with 
clinched fists.) "By " 

WILLIAM — (Raising his hand over his head, rushes at him and 
at the same time Carleone, running down center, throws herself before 
Mr. West, with upraised arm to protect him, says — ) 

CARLEONE — "This is your brother." (Both men look at her 
wi.h different expressions; William, sternly and Mr. West, wi.h delight.) 



THIRD ACT— SCENE TWO 79 



WILLIAM— "You know this man, Carleone?" 
CARLEONE — (Warmly.) "Know him? Yes, I know and 

respect him." 

MR. WEST — (Very much overcome, turns away with — ) 

"Thank God for her respect." 

CARLEONE — "I know him as Mr. West, our friend, and as 

Charles Allingham, an innocent man." 

WILLIAM— (Angrily.) "Innocent? Your proof?" 
CARLEONE — (Extending her right hand to Mr. West, which 

he takes with a great deal of joy, carries it to his heart and then, bowing 

his head reverently kisses it.) " is here." (A pause; then — ) 

MR. WEST — (Giving a folded paper to Carleone, says — ) 
"Oh, Carleone, my own Carleone, in that paper is a miracle of answered 
prayers. Read it." (Advances to William, speaking rapidly.) "Wil- 
liam, I am a coward. I have been a coward, a base coward to have 
treated my mother, — you all — as I have done, but with God's help 
and (Turning with a reverential look of love on Carleone.) Carleone's 
love, I'll redeem the selfish past. Before God, I am not a thief; I am 

an innocent " (Carleone, who has been reading the paper, with 

great delight runs between them saying — ) 

CARLEONE— "Charley, tell him quick! Mr. West, tell him, 
quick." 

MR. WEST — "That girl, two weeks ago, sent me back to St. 
Francis College. The president welcomed me as if he expected me. For 
one whole year, they were trying to locate me, for they held a signed 
proof of my innocence in their hands." 

WILLIAM— (Interrupting Impatiently.) "Why,— Why the 
devil, did they keep it in their hands? Why did they not send it here?" 

MR. WEST — "John Jones, having been fatally injured in an 
automobile race, confessed on his death bed the injury he had done me, 
but made the president and Father Coleman promise that his written state- 
ment would be placed in my hands, warning them not to trust it to the 
mail." 

WILLIAM— (Hotly.) "But, my God, why did they not let 
us know?" 

MR. WEST — "You were only to hear the truth from me, and 
the Fathers by some medium found out that I was going under the name 



SO HOME LIGHT OF THE PRAIRIES 

of West and for all this time, they have been chasing me from place 
to place. Read the paper, my girl." 

CARLEONE — (Reads with great joy, while William evinces 
strong contrition for his harshness and Mr. West great peace.) 'I, the 
undersigned, being in a dying condition but of sane mind, do swear 
before God as I hope for forgiveness, that I have deliberately wronged 
Charles Allingham. I stole the key of his desk while he was asleep, 
opened the desk, and placed fifty dollars in it, re-locked it and then insti- 
tuted a search, the money being found in Charley Allingham's posses- 
sion. He was expelled as a thief. I did all this through a spirit of 
jealousy and hate. May Almighty God have mercy on my soul. 
Signed — John Jones. Witnessed by President of the College, Father 
Russell, and Father Coleman, this day of our Lord, 1915." 

MR. WEST— (Gaily.) "Well, brother, am I forgiven?" 

WILLIAM — "Forgiven? Oh, Charley, how can I ever make 
amends?" (They throw themselves into each other's arms. Quincey has 
entered as William says Charley.) 

QUINCEY — (Left center, slightly back of the brothers.) 
"Gosh! The boogy-man is Charley. I'll go tell Grandma; she's just 
coming in the gate." 

DINAH — (Entering and hearing the last.) "You imp of satin, 
is you gwine for to scare Miss 'Lizabeth out of her senses?" )Enter 
Jack) "You Jack and Quincey, come yere and get right out o' yere." 
(Shoving them out left while Grandma, Mrs. Hilton, Robertson, Sr. y 
and Mr. Jim and Mollie enter at the back. Grandma looks from the 
struggling boys to the two brothers and with a glad cry of joy rushes to 
the front while Mr. West, turning quickly catches her as she falls in a 
faint. She is in the center, Charley kneeling at her right side, Carleone 
left chafing her head, Mollie and Dinah running in and out of the room 
bringing in various things such as — water, cologne, etc. 

MR WEST — "My God, am I going to find her only to — Car- 
leone, is she dead?" 

CARLEONE— "Dead? No, Charley, joy don't kill." (Takes 
a bottle from Mollie.) "Heartshom is better, if you have it. Raise 
her head Charley." 

MRS. HILTON— (To Mr. Hilton.) "Dearest, she called him 
Charley.'' 

MR. HILTON— "Well, Jessie darling, from the looks of things 



THIRD ACT^-SCENE TWO 81 

Mr. West is Charley Allingham. Hang me, if I aint glad." (Walks 
right) 

MR. ROBERTSON, Sr.— "Mr. West, Charley Allingham?" 
(Crosses left.) 

MR. JIM — (Walks to father.) "The prodigal son, Dad; such 
as I would have been if it were not for Mollie here." (Turns to Mollie 
and takes her hand.) 

MR. ROBERTSON, Sr.— "The grace of Cod, boy, has 
won out in your regard. It was heredity against the grace of Cod, and 
your sister and you have made good." 

MR. JIM — (Solemnly taking Molleys hands in his.) "I don't 
know that we have; with the help of God, we n>i7/." (Dinah rushes for- 
ward with a hunch of feathers which she sets fire to under Grandma s 
nose. .She sneezes and sits up while the whole party laugh.) 

GRANDMA — (Sitting up and looking round, Mr. West hid- 
ing in the back.) "Dinah there is something burning in the oven." 

DINAH — (Choking wilh laughter, doubling forward.) Oh, 
Lordy. Yes. chile, ther's sure something burning. I's gwine to burn 
de feathe-s off all de chickens on de farm ; to help celebrate de prodigy's 
return. Oh, Lordy." (Waving her chickens wing in the air and 
doubling up with laughter.) 

GRANDMA — (Anxiously to William.) "But what has hap- 
pened? William surely I haven't dreamt it?" 

WILLIAM — (Bending over her in a great joy.) "Dreamt what, 
mother?" 

GRANDMA— (Eagerly.) "Is— he— he? Oh, isn't Charlie 
here?" 

MR. WEST — (Bounding forward with a glad cry and arms 
extended. "Yes, mother he is here." 

GRANDMA — (Half beside herself with joy, rushes forward, 
throws her self into his arms, throws back her head and with her arms 
round his neck, laughs wildly.) "Oh, my baby, my baby, my Charlie. 
Ha, ha, ha. An answer to PRAYER. (Leaves him and \ings herself 
down on her knees near footlights, rises aloft both arms and says with 
great passion:) "Mother of God. You did hear this mother. You 
knew what it was to lose your son. You knew the long, long waiting. 
Oh I thank you. (Rising and throwing herself into his arms.) "Oh,. 



82 HOME LIGHT OP THE FRAJR1ES 

Charlie, this pays for all." (Hides her head on his shoulder, he draws 
her slightly back while Mrs. Hilton clinging to Mr. Hilton says:) 

MRS. HILTON — Harry, darling, I am afraid of her; she is 
always so calm and look at her now, she seems wild." 

MR. HILTON — (Patting her on the head.) "Jessie, dear girl, 
I thought you learned the lesson that the quietest persons often hide the 
hottest blood?" 

MR. ROBERTSON — (Advancing from the right, and slapping 
Mr. Hilton on the back.) "You are right son. Jessie knows that vol- 
canoes are Snowclad. Our Spartan Grandma, a stronghold for those in 
sorrow, has for years so kept back the natural expression of her feelings, 
always losing herself in others, that now in the presence of a great and 
unexpected joy, losing control of her self, she unconsciously reveals the 
grand MOTHER LOVE that dominated her life." 

GRANDMA — (Coming forward, with gracious joy.) "Friends 
do you know my baby, my Charlie? William?" (hesitates, and Icofys 
lovingly at William, who, much overcome, advances to the footlights.) 

WILLIAM — "Asks your pardon, and his, mother. 

MR. WEST — (Coming to her side.) "Mother I am innocent." 
GRANDMA— (Indignantly.) "INNOCENT? If you were guilty 
a hundred times here is your refuge. (Drawing him toward her with her 
right arm, while he, with his right arm, draws Carleone.) 

MR. WEST — "Mother, in finding your son, you have found a 
daughter." 

GRANDMA — (In great delight.) "Carleone, my daughter?" 

CARLEONE — (Kneeling beside her, taking her hand and 
looking up at her.) "At last, Grandma, I can call you MOTHER." 

CURTAIN. 



} -**»?ti 



LIBRARY 




